













1 


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Glass. 
Book 






STORIES FROM 
OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 



STORIES FROM 
OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 



BY 

JOYCE POLLARD 

w 



NEW YORK 
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 

1912 



PRnat 



Jftf/ii 



CONTENTS 

I'AGE 

I. Beowulf and Grendel i 

II. Beowulf and the Fire-Dragon .... 9 

III. The Story of Cedmon 15 

IV. The Fight at Maldon 18 

V. VORTIGER AND CONSTANCE 24 

VI. VORTIGER AND HENGEST 29 

VII. The Return of Aurelius 33 

VIII. Havelok the Dane. How Havelok came to marry 

Goldborough 41 

IX. Havelok the Dane. How Havelok became King 

of Denmark and of England .... 48 

X. King Horn 54 

XI. Guy of Warwick. How Guy won the hand of 

Felice the Beautiful 63 

XII. Guy of Warwick. How Guy went on a Pilgrimage 68 

XIII. The Tale of Gamelyn 75 

XIV. The Vision of William concerning the Field 

Full of Folk 82 

XV. The Vision of William concerning Piers the 

Ploughman 87 

XVI. The Travels of Sir John Mandeville. Of the 

Great Chan of Cathay 92 

XVII. The Travels of Sir John Mandeville. Of the 

Governance of the Great Chan's Court . , 96 
v 



vi STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

PAGE 

XVIII. The Story of Mak 103 

XIX. London Lickpenny . . . . . . . 109 

XX. Robin Hood and Sir Richard-at-the-Lee . 112 

XXI. Robin Hood and King Edward . . . .119 

XXII. The Story of Sir Balin. How Balin took King 

Rience of North Wales 125 

XXIII. The Story of Sir Balin. How Balin smote the 

Dolorous Stroke . . . . . . -132 

XXIV. Sir Gareth of Orkney 139 



STORIES FROM 
OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 



BEOWULF AND GRENDEL 

IONG ago there ruled over the Danes a king called 
v Hrothgar. He gained success and glory in war, so 
that his loyal kinsmen willingly obeyed him, and every- 
thing prospered in his land. 

One day it came into his mind that he would build a 
princely banquet-hall, where he might entertain both the 
young and old of his kingdom; and he had the work 
widely made known to many a tribe over the earth, so 
that they might bring rich gifts to beautify the hall. 

In course of time the banquet-house was built and 
towered aloft, high and battlemented. Then Hrothgai 
gave it the name of Heorot, and called his guests to the 
banquet, and gave them gifts of rings and other treasures; 
and afterwards every day the joyous sound of revelry 
rang loud in the hall, with the music of the harp and the 
clear notes of the singers. 

But it was not long before the pleasure of the king's 
men was broken, for a wicked demon began to work 
mischief against them. This cruel spirit was called Grendcl, 
and he dwelt on the moors and among the fens. One night 
he came to Heorot when the noble guests lay at rest after 
the feast, and seizing thirty thanes as they slept, set off on 
his homeward journey, exulting in his booty. 

At break of day his deed was known to all men, and 
great was the grief among the thanes. . The good King 
i 



a STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Hrothgar also sat in sorrow, suffering heavy distress for 
the death of his warriors. 

Not long afterwards Grendel again appeared, and 
wrought a yet worse deed of murder. After that the 
warriors no longer dared to sleep at Heorot, but sought 
out secret resting-places, leaving the great house empty. 

A long time passed. For the space of twelve winters 
Grendel waged a perpetual feud against Hrothgar and his 
people ; the livelong night he roamed over the misty 
moors, visiting Heorot, and destroying both the tried 
warriors and the young men whenever he was able. 
Hrothgar was broken-hearted, and many were the councils 
held in secret to deliberate what it were best to do against 
these fearful terrors ; but nothing availed to stop the 
fiend's ravages. 

Now the tale of Grendel's deeds went forth into many 
lands ; and amongst others who heard of it were the Geats, 
whose king was Higelac. Chief of his thanes was a noble 
and powerful warrior named Beowulf, who resolved to go 
to the help of the Danes. He bade his men make ready 
a good sea-boat, that he might go across the wild swan's 
path to seek out Hrothgar and aid him ; and his people 
encouraged him to go on that dangerous errand even 
though he was dear to them. 

So Beowulf chose fourteen of his keenest warriors, and 
sailed away over the waves in his well-equipped vessel, 
till he came within sight of the cliffs and mountains of 
Hrothgar's kingdom. The Danish warder, who kept 
guard over the coast, saw them as they were making their 
ship fast and carrying their bright weapons on shore. So 
he mounted his horse and rode to meet them, bearing in 
his hand his staff of office; and he questioned them closely 
as to whence they came and what their business was. 

Then Beowulf explained their errand, and the warder, 
when he had heard it, bade them pass onwards, bearing 
their weapons, and gave orders that their ship should 
be safely guarded. 



BEOWULF AND GRENDEL 3 

Soon they came within sight of the fair palace Heorot, 
and the warder showed them the way to Hrothgar's court, 
and then bade them farewell, and returned to keep watch 
upon the coast. 

Then the bold thanes marched forward to Heorot, their 
armour and their weapons glittering and clanking as 
they went. Entering the hall, they set their shields and 
bucklers against the walls, placed their spears upright in 
a sheaf together, and sat down on the benches, weary with 
their seafaring. 

Then a proud liegeman of Hrothgar's stepped forward 
and asked — 

" Whence bring ye your shields, your grey war-shirts and 
frowning helmets, and this sheaf of spears ? Never saw I 
men of more valiant aspect." 

"We are Higelac's boon companions,'' answered Beowulf. 
" Beowulf is my name, and I desire to declare my errand 
to the great prince, thy lord, if he will grant us leave to 
approach him." 

So Wulfgar, another of Hrothgar's chieftains, went out 
to the king where he sat with the assembly of his earls and 
told him of the arrival of the strangers, and Hrothgar 
received the news with joy, for he had known Beowulf 
when he was a boy, and had heard of his fame as a 
warrior. Therefore he bade Wulfgar bring him to his 
presence, and soon Beowulf stood before him and cried — 

" Hail to thee, Hrothgar ! I have heard the tale of 
Grendel, and my people, who know my strength and 
prowess, have counselled me to seek thee out. For I have 
wrought great deeds in the past, and now I shall do battle 
against this monster. Men say that so thick is his tawny 
hide that no weapon can injure him. I therefore disdain 
to carry sword or shield into the combat, but will fight with 
the strength of my arm only, and either I will conquer the 
fiend, or he will bear away my dead body to the moor. Send 
to Higelac, if I fall in the fight, my beautiful breastplate. 
I have no fear of death, for Destiny must ever be obeyed." 



4 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Then Hrothgar told Beowulf of the great sorrow caused 
to him by Grendel's terrible deeds, and of the failure of all 
the attempts that had been made by the warriors to over- 
come him ; and afterwards he bade him sit down with his 
followers to partake of a meal. 

So a bench was cleared for the Geats, and a thane waited 
upon them, and all the noble warriors gathered together, 
and a great feast was held once more in Heorot with song 
and revelry. Waltheow, Hrothgar's queen, came forth also, 
and handed the wine-cup to each of the thanes, pledging 
the king in joyful mood, and thanking Beowulf for his 
offer of help. 

At last all the company arose to go to rest ; and 
Hrothgar entrusted the guardianship of Heorot to Beowulf 
with cheering words, and so bade him good night. Then 
all left the hall, save only a watch 'appointed by Hrothgar, 
and Beowulf himself with his followers, who laid them- 
selves down to rest. 

No long time passed before Grendel came prowling from 
his home on the moors under the misty slopes. Full of his 
evil purpose, he burst with fury into the hall and strode 
forward raging, a hideous, fiery light gleaming from his 
eyes. In the hall lay the warriors asleep, and Grendel 
laughed in his heart as he gazed at them, thinking to feast 
upon them all. Quickly he seized a sleeping warrior and 
devoured him ; then, stepping forward, he reached out his 
hand towards Beowulf as he lay at rest. 

But the hero was ready for him, and seized his arm in a 
deadly grip, such as Grendel had never felt before. Terror 
arose in the monster's heart, and his mind was bent on 
flight ; but he could not get away. 

Then Beowulf stood upright and grappled with him 
firmly, and the two rocked to and fro in the struggle, 
knocking over benches, and shaking the hall with the 
violence of their fight. Suddenly a new and terrible cry 
arose, the cry of Grendel in fear and pain, for never once 
did Beowulf relax his hold upon him. Then many of 



BEOWULF AND GRENDEL 5 

Beowulf's earls drew their swords and rushed to aid their 
master ; but no blade could pierce him, and nothing but 
Beowulf's mighty strength could prevail. 

At last the monster's arm was torn off at the shoulder, 
and sick unto death, he fled to the fens, there to end his 
joyless life. Then Beowulf rejoiced at his night's work 
wherein he had freed Heorot for ever from the fiend's 
cruel ravages. 

Now on the morrow the warriors flocked to the hall ; 
and when they heard what had taken place, they went out 
and followed Grendel's tracks to a mere upon the moors, 
into which he had plunged and given up his life. Then, 
sure of his death, they returned rejoicing to Heorot, talking 
of Beowulf's glorious deed ; and there they found the king 
and queen and a great company of people awaiting them. 

And now there was great rejoicing and happiness. Fair 
and gracious were the thanks that Hrothgar gave to 
Beowulf, and great was the feast prepared in Heorot. 
Cloths embroidered with gold were hung along the walls, 
and the hall was decked in every possible way. 

When all were seated at the feast, Hrothgar bade the 
attendants bring forth his gifts to Beowulf as a reward of 
victory. He gave him an embroidered banner, a helmet 
and breastplate, and a valuable sword, all adorned with 
gold and richly ornamented. Also he gave orders to the 
servants to bring into the court eight horses, on one of 
which was a curiously adorned and very precious saddle, 
which the king was wont to use himself when he rode to 
practise the sword-game. These also he gave to Beowulf, 
thus like a true man requiting his valiant deeds with horses 
and other precious gifts. He bestowed treasures also on 
each of Beowulf's followers, and gave orders that a price 
should be paid in gold for the man whom the wicked 
Grendel had slain. 

After this there arose within the hall the din of voices 
and the sound of song ; the instruments also were brought 
out, and Hrothgar's minstrel sang a ballad for the delight 



6 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

of the warriors. Waltheow too came forth, bearing in her 
turn presents for Beowulf — a cup, two armlets, raiment and 
rings, and the largest and richest collar that could be found 
in all the world. 

Now when evening came Hrothgar departed to his rest, 
and the warriors cleared the hall and lay down to sleep 
once more, with their shields and armour beside them as 
was their custom. But Beowulf was not with them, for 
another resting-place had been assigned to him that night, 
for all thought that there was now no longer any danger 
to be feared. 

But in this they were mistaken, as they soon learnt to 
their cost. For no sooner were they all asleep than 
Grendel's mother, a monstrous witch who dwelt at the 
bottom of a cold mere, came to Heorot to avenge her 
son and burst into the hall. The thanes started up in 
terror, hastily grasping their swords ; but she seized upon 
Asher, the most beloved of Hrothgar's warriors, who still lay 
sleeping, and bore him off with her to the fens, carrying with 
her also Grendel's arm, which lay at one end of the hall. 

Then there arose an uproar and the sound of mourning 
in Heorot. In fierce and gloomy mood Hrothgar sum- 
moned Beowulf and told him the ghastly tale, begging 
him, if he dared, to go forth to seek out the monster and 
destroy it. 

Full of courage, Beowulf answered with cheerful words, 
promising that Grendel's mother should not escape him ; 
and soon he was riding forth fully equipped on his quest, 
accompanied by Hrothgar and many a good warrior. 
They were able to follow the witch's tracks right through 
the forest glades and across the gloomy moor, till they 
came to a spot where some mountain trees bent over a hoar 
rock, beneath which lay a dreary and troubled lake ; and 
there beside the water's edge lay the head of Asher, and 
they knew that the witch must be at the bottom of the water. 

Full of grief, the warriors sat down, while Beowulf 
arrayed himself in his cunningly fashioned coat of mail and 



BEOWULF AND GRENDEL 7 

his richly ornamented helmet. Then he turned to 
Hrothgar and spoke a last word to him. 

"If the fight go against me, great chieftain, be thou a 
guardian to my thanes, my kinsmen, and my trusty com- 
rades ; and send thou to Higelac those treasures that thou 
gavest me, that he may know thy kindness to me. Now 
will I earn glory for myself, or death shall take me away." 

So saying, he plunged into the gloomy lake, at the 
bottom of which was Grendel's mother. Very soon she per- 
ceived his approach, and rushing forth, grappled with him 
and dragged him down to her den, where many horrible 
sea-beasts joined in the fight against him. This den was 
so fashioned that the water could not enter it, and it was lit 
by the light of a fire that shone brightly in the midst of it. 

And now Beowulf drew his sword and thrust at his ter- 
rible foe ; but the weapon could not injure her, and he was 
forced to fling it away and trust in the powerful grip of 
his arms, as he had done with Grendel. Seizing the witch, 
he shook her till she sank down on the ground : but she 
quickly rose again and requited him with a terrible hand- 
clutch, which caused Beowulf to stagger, and then fall. 
Throwing herself upon him, she seized a dagger to strike 
him ; but he wrenched himself free and once more stood 
upright. 

Then he suddenly perceived an ancient sword hanging 
upon the wall of the den, and seized it as a last resource. 
Fierce and savage, but wellnigh hopeless, he struck the 
monster heavily upon the neck with it. Then, to his joy, 
the blade pierced right through her body, and she sank 
down dying. 

At that moment the flames of the fire leapt up, throwing 
a brilliant light over the den ; and there against the wall 
Beowulf beheld the dead body of Grendel lying on a 
couch. With one swinging blow of the powerful sword 
he struck off his head, as a trophy to carry to Hrothgar. 

But now a strange thing happened, for the blade of the 
sword began to melt away even as ice melts, and soon 



8 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

nothing was left of it save the hilt. Carrying this and 
Grendel's head, Beowulf now left the den and swam up- 
wards to the surface of the lake. 

There the thanes met him with great rejoicings, and 
some quickly helped him to undo his armour, while others 
prepared to carry the great head of Grendel back to 
Heorot. It took four men to carry it, and ghastly, though 
wonderful, was the sight of it. 

And now once more the warriors assembled in Heorot, 
and Beowulf recounted to Hrothgar the full tale of his 
adventure and presented to him the hilt of the wonderful 
sword. Again the king thanked him from the depth of 
his heart for his valiant deeds ; and as before a fair feast 
was prepared, and the warriors made merry till night came 
and they repaired to rest, certain this time of their safety. 

Now on the morrow Beowulf and his nobles made ready 
to depart to their own land ; and when they were fully 
equipped they went to bid farewell to Hrothgar. Then 
Beowulf spoke, saying — 

" Now are we voyagers eager to return to our lord 
Higelac. We have been right well and heartily entertained, 
O king, and if there is aught further that I can ever do for 
thee, then I shall be ready for thy service. If ever I hear 
that thy neighbours are again persecuting thee, I will bring 
a thousand thanes to thy aid ; and I know that Higelac 
will uphold me in this." 

" Dear are thy words to me, O Beowulf," Hrothgar made 
answer, " and great is thy wisdom. If Fate should take 
away the life of Higelac, the Geats could have no better 
king than thee ; and hereafter there shall never more be 
feuds between the Danes and the Geats, for thou, by thy 
great deeds, hast made a lasting bond of friendship 
between them." 

Then Hrothgar gave more gifts to Beowulf, and bade 
him seek his beloved people, and afterwards come back 
again to visit him, for so dearly had he grown to love him 
that he longed to see him again. 



BEOWULF AND THE FIRE-DRAGON 9 

So the two embraced and bade each other farewell with 
great affection, and then at last Beowulf went down to 
where his ship rode at anchor and sailed away with his 
followers to his own country, taking with him the many 
gifts that Hrothgar had made to him. And coming to 
Higelac's court, he told him of his adventures, and having 
shown him the treasure, gave it all up to him, so loyal and 
true was he. But Higelac in return gave Beowulf a goodly 
sword, and seven thousand pieces of gold, and a manor- 
house also, a princely seat for him to dwell in. There 
Beowulf lived in peace, and not for many years was he 
called to fresh adventures. 

II 

BEOWULF AND THE FIRE-DRAGON 

AFTER his return to the land of the Geats, Beowulf 
served Higelac faithfully till the day of the kings 
death, which befell in an expedition that he made to 
Friesland. Beowulf was with him on that disastrous 
journey, and only with difficulty did he escape with his 
life. But when he returned as a poor solitary fugitive to 
his people, Hygd, Higelac's wife, offered him the kingdom 
and the king's treasures, for she feared that her young son 
Heardred was not strong enough to hold the throne of his 
fathers against invading foes. 

Beowulf, however, would not accept the kingdom, but 
rather chose to uphold Heardred among the people, 
giving him friendly counsel, and serving him faithfully 
and honourably. 

But before very long Heardred was killed in battle ; and 
then at last Beowulf consented to become king of the Geats. 

For fifty years he ruled well and wisely, and his people 
prospered. But at last trouble came in the ravages of 
a terrible Dragon, and once more Beowulf was called 
forth to a terrific combat. 

For three hundred years this Dragon had kept watch 



10 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

over a hoard of treasure on a mountain by the sea-shore 
in the country of the Geats. The treasure had been 
hidden in a cave under the mountain by a band of sea- 
robbers ; and when the last of them was dead, the Dragon 
took possession of the cave and of the treasure and kept 
fierce watch over them. 

But one day a poor man came to the spot while the 
Dragon was fast asleep, and carried off part of the 
treasure to his master. 

When the Dragon awoke he soon discovered the man's 
footprints, and on examining the cave he found that part 
of the gold and splendid jewels had disappeared. In 
wrathful and savage mood he sought all round the 
mountain for the robber, but could find no one. 

So, when evening came, he went forth eager for 
revenge, and throwing out flashes of fire in every direc- 
tion, he began to set fire to all the land. Beowulf's 
own princely manor-house was burnt down, and terrible 
destruction was wrought on every hand, till day broke 
and the Fire-Dragon returned to his den. 

Great was Beowulf's grief at this dire misfortune, and 
eager was his desire for vengeance. He scorned to seek 
the foe with a great host behind him, nor did he dread the 
combat in any way, for he called to mind his many feats 
of war, and especially his fight with Grendel. 

So he quickly had fashioned a mighty battle-shield, 
made entirely of iron, for he knew that the wooden one 
that he was wont to use would be burnt up by the flames 
of the Fire-Dragon. Then he chose out eleven of his 
earls, and together they set out for the mountain, led 
thither by the man who had stolen the treasure. 

When they came to the mouth of the cave Beowulf 
bade farewell to his companions, for he was resolved to 
fight single-handed against the foe. 

" Many a fight have I fought in my youth," he said, " and 
now once more will I, the guardian of my people, seek the 
combat. I would not bear any sword or other weapon 



BEOWULF AND THE FIRE-DRAGON 11 

against the Dragon if I thought that I could grapple with 
him as I did with the monster Grendel. But I fear that 
I shall not be able to approach so close to this foe, for he 
will send forth hot, raging fire and venomous breath. 
Yet am I resolute in mood, fearless, and resolved not to 
yield one foot's-breadth to the monster. 

" Tarry ye here on the hill, my warriors, and watch which 
of us two will survive the deadly combat, for this is no enter- 
prise for you. I only can attempt it, because such great 
strength has been given to me. Therefore I will do battle 
alone, and will either slay the Dragon and win the treasure 
for my people, or fall in the fight, as Destiny shall appoint." 

When he had spoken thus Beowulf strode forward to 
the fight, armed with his iron shield, his sword and his 
dagger. A stone arch spanned the mouth of the cave, 
and on one side a boiling stream, hot as though with 
raging fires, rushed forth. Undaunted by it, Beowulf 
uttered a shout to summon the Dragon to the fight. 
Immediately a burning breath from the monster came 
out of the rock, the earth rumbled, and then the Dragon 
rushed forth to meet his fate. 

Standing with his huge shield held well before him, 
Beowulf received the attack, and struck from beneath his 
shield at the monster's side. But his blade failed him and 
turned aside, and the blow but served to enrage the 
Dragon, so that he darted forth such blasting rays of 
deadly fire that Beowulf was wellnigh overwhelmed and 
the fight went hard with him. 

Now his eleven chosen comrades could see the combat 
from where they stood ; and one of them, Beowulf's kins- 
man Wiglaf, was moved to great sorrow at the sight of his 
lord's distress. At last he could bear it no longer, but 
grasped his wooden shield and his sword, and cried to the 
other thanes — 

" Remember how we promised our lord in the banquet- 
hall, when he gave us our helmets and swords and battle- 
gear, that we would one day repay him for his gifts. Now 



12 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

is the day come that our liege lord has need of the strength 
of good warriors. We must go help him, even though he 
thought to accomplish this mighty work alone, for we can 
never return to our homes if we have not slain the enemy 
and saved our king's life. Rather than live when he is 
dead, I will perish with him in the deadly fire." 

Then he rushed through the noisome smoke to his lord's 
side, crying— 

" Dear Beowulf, take courage. Remember thy boast 
that thy valour should never fail thee in thy lifetime, and 
defend thyself now with all thy might, and I will help thee." 

But the other warriors were afraid to follow him, so that 
Beowulf and Wiglaf stood alone to face the Dragon. 

As soon as the monster advanced upon them, Wiglaf 's 
wooden shield was burnt away by the flames, so that he 
was forced to take refuge behind Beowulf's iron shield; 
and this time, when Beowulf struck with his sword, it was 
shivered to pieces. Then the Dragon flung himself upon 
him and caught him up in his arms, crushing him till he 
lay senseless and covered with wounds. 

But now Wiglaf showed his valour and strength, and 
smote the monster with such mighty blows that at last 
the fire coming forth from him began to abate somewhat. 
Then Beowulf came once more to his senses, and drawing 
his deadly knife, struck with it from beneath ; and at last 
the force of the blows from the two noble kinsmen felled 
the fierce foe and he sank down dead beside them. 

But Beowulf's wounds were very great, and he knew 
that the joys of life were ended for him and that death 
was very near. So while Wiglaf with wonderful tender- 
ness unfastened his helmet for him and refreshed him 
with water, he spoke, saying — 

" Though I am sick with mortal wounds, there is yet 
some comfort remaining for me. For I have governed 
my people for fifty winters and kept them safe from 
invading foes ; yet have not sought out quarrels, nor led 
my kinsmen to dire slaughter when there was no need. 



BEOWULF AND THE FIRE-DRAGON 13 

Therefore the Ruler of all men will not blame me when 
my life departs from my body. 

" And now go thou quickly, dear Wiglaf, to spy out the 
treasure within the cave, so that I may see what wealth 
I have won for my people before I die." 

So Wiglaf went into the cave, and there he saw many 
precious jewels, old vessels, helmets, gold armlets, and 
other treasures, which excelled in beauty and number any 
that mankind has ever known. Moreover, high above the 
treasure flapped a marvellous gilded standard, from which 
came a ray of light which lit up all the cave. 

Then Wiglaf seized as much as he could carry of the 
precious spoils, and taking the standard also, hastened 
back to his lord, dreading lest he should find him already 
dead. 

Beowulf was very near his life's end, but when Wiglaf 
had again revived him with water, he had strength to 
speak once more. 

" Glad am I," he said, " that I have been able before my 
death to gain so much for my people. But now I may no 
longer abide here. Bid the gallant warriors burn my body 
on the headland here which juts into the sea, and after- 
wards to raise a huge mound on the same spot, that the 
sailors who drive their vessels over the misty floods may 
call it Beowulf's Mound." 

Then the dauntless prince undid the golden collar from 
his neck, and gave it to Wiglaf with his helmet and coat 
of mail, saying — 

" Thou art the last of all our race, for Fate has swept 
away all my kindred save thee to their doom, and now 
I also must join them," and with these words the aged 
king fell back dead. 

Now as Wiglaf sat by his lord, grieving sorely at his 
death, the other ten thanes who had shown themselves to 
be faithless and cowardly approached with shame to his 
side. Then Wiglaf turned to them, crying bitterly — 

" Truly our liege-lord flung away utterly in vain the 



14 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

battle-gear that he gave ye. Little could he boast of his 
comrades when the hour of need came. I myself was 
able to give him some succour in the fight, but ye should 
have stood by him also to defend him. But now the 
giving of treasure shall cease for ye, and ye will be shamed 
and will lose your land-right when the nobles learn of your 
inglorious deed. Death is better for every earl than igno- 
minious life." 

After this Wiglaf summoned the other earls, and told 
them of all that had happened and of the mound that 
Beowulf wished them to build. Then they gathered to- 
gether at the mouth of the cave, and gazed with tears 
upon their lifeless lord, and looked with awe upon the 
huge Dragon as it lay stiff in death beside its conqueror. 
Afterwards, led by Wiglaf, seven chosen earls entered the 
cave and brought forth all the treasure, while others 
busied themselves in preparing the funeral pyre. 

When all was ready, and the huge pile of wood had 
been hung with helmets, war-shields, and bright coats of 
mail, as befitted the funeral pyre of a noble warrior, the 
earls brought their beloved lord's body to the spot and 
laid it on the wood. Then they kindled the fire, and stood 
by mourning and uttering sorrowful chants, while the 
smoke rose up and the fire roared and the body was 
consumed away. Afterwards they built a mound on the 
hill, making it high and broad so that it could be seen 
from very far away. Ten days they spent in building it ; 
and because they desired to pay the highest of honours to 
Beowulf, they buried in it the whole of the treasure that 
the Dragon had guarded, for no price was too heavy 
to pay as a token of their love for their lord. So the 
treasure even now remains in the earth, as useless as it 
was before. 

When at last the mound was completed, the noble 
warriors gathered together and rode round it, lamenting their 
king and singing the praise of his valour and mighty deeds. 

Thus mourned the people of the Geats for the fall of 



THE STORY OF C.EDMON 15 

Beowulf, who of all kings in the world was the mildest and 
kindest, the most gracious to his people, and the most 
eager to win their praise. 

The story of Beowulf is a legend which belo?iged in the first 
place to Scandinavia, and was made the subject of an Old English 
poem in the eighth century. 

Ill 

THE STORY OF CEDMON 

IN a certain monastery, at the head of which was an 
abbess, there was once a monk named Caedmon to 
whom great honour was paid and who became very famous 
by reason of a wonderful gift that he possessed. This gift 
was the gift of writing poetry, and many were the beauti- 
ful songs that he wrote. 

He was not a learned man himself, and could not read 
the sacred writings written in the Greek and Latin tongues 
which the other monks were wont to study. But they 
would tell him what they had read, and by the aid of the 
gift that he had received he would make what they had 
told him into wonderful poems, written in English, and 
full of such beauty and power that all who read them were 
inspired to lead better and holier lives than they had 
done before. And though many among the English people 
began afterwards to write sacred songs like those of Caed- 
mon, yet none could do as he had done, because he had 
not learnt the art of making poetry from any other man, 
but had received it as a gift from God, in the manner 
which you shall hear. 

Until the time that he was growing old, Caedmon was 
not a monk, but only a poor cowherd. Now it was the 
custom in those days that when a feast was held, and the 
guests had eaten and drunken, a harp should be passed 
round among them, and each in turn should play and sing 
for the pleasure and amusement of the company. But 
Caedmon had never learnt any songs and knew not how 



16 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

to play the harp. So when he saw that his turn was 
drawing near, he would rise from the table and go home 
ashamed to his own house. 

Now once when he had done this, he went out from the 
banquet-house to the cattle-shed, the care of which had 
been entrusted to him that night, and laid himself down 
beside the oxen to sleep. And as he slept, it seemed to 
him that there came One and stood beside him, and called 
him by his name, saying — 

11 Csedmon, sing Me something." 
Then answered he and said — 

" I cannot sing, and it was even for that reason that I 
went out from the banquet and came hither." 
But He that was speaking with him answered — 
" Nevertheless thou shalt sing to Me." 
Then said Caedmon — 
" What shall I sing ? " 
And He made answer — 
"Sing to Me of the Creation." 

So when Csedmon heard this he began forthwith to 
sing in praise of God the Creator, using verse and words 
which he had never heard before, and this is the order of 
his song : — 

Now will we honour the heavenly Guardian, 
The might of the Maker, the thought of His Mind, 
Glorious Father of man, Who made every marvel 
In the beginning, the Lord God Eternal. 
He first created the earth for His children, 
With the heavens as a roof, the Holy Creator. 
Yea, the mid-earth the Guardian of men 
Ordained and created, the Lord God Eternal, 
The earth for mankind, the Lord God Almighty. 

Then Csedmon arose from sleep, keeping in his mind all 
that which he had sung while sleeping, and soon he added 
to it many more words of a song to God in the same metre. 

On the morrow he went to the headman of the town 
and told him of the gift which he had received ; and the 
headman soon led him to the abbess of the monastery 
and made known to her the story. 



THE STORY OF C^DMON 17 

So the abbess bade all the most learned men come 
together, and told Csedmon to relate his vision and sing 
his song, so that they might decide how it was that he 
had been able to write so beautiful a poem ; and when 
they had listened to him, they were all agreed that a 
heavenly gift had been given unto him from the Lord 
Himself. Thereat they told him a certain holy tale, 
bidding him, if he could, to turn it into poetry. So when 
he had understood the story he betook himself to his 
house, and coming again on the morrow, performed that 
which he was bidden and sang the story in a beautiful poem. 

Now the abbess loved the gift which God had given to 
Caedmon and wished to help him to use it. So she bade 
him become a monk, in order that he might learn many 
sacred stories from the other monks and spend his time 
in writing poems. To this he gladly consented, and she 
received him into her own monastery and helped him to 
learn the sacred histories. All that he could learn he 
stored in his mind and pondered, even as a cow chews the 
cud ; and afterwards he turned it into songs which were so 
sweet and lovely that his very teachers learnt from the 
words of his mouth. 

He sang first of the world's creation and the beginning of 
mankind, and all the story of Genesis (which is the first 
book of Moses); and afterwards of the going out of the 
people of Israel from the land of Egypt and their entry 
into the promised land. Many other stories wrote he also 
from the holy writings, and in all he wrote he strove to 
help men to lead better lives and to love only that which 
is good. For he was in all things a most holy man, and 
was kindled with a great and burning fervour to save those 
who would do evil. 

Now when the time of his death drew near, he was very 
weak and ill for fourteen days, but nevertheless he was 
able to continue his usual life and did not take to his bed. 
There was in the neighbourhood of the monastery a house 
for the sick, and the custom was that those who were ill 

2 



18 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

and dying should be taken thither from the monastery, so 
that they might all be cared for together there ; but for 
the first fourteen days of his illness Caedmon would not 
go thither. 

But on the night that he was about to leave the world, 
he bade his servant prepare him a bed in that house that 
he might rest there. The servant wondered at this, for 
he did not think that his master's death was so near ; 
nevertheless he did what he was bidden. 

So Csedmon went to rest in the sick-house, and with a 
cheerful mind he talked and jested with those who were 
therein. But after midnight he asked whether they all 
thought kindly of him and bore him no grudge ; and they 
answered with one accord that he was most dear to them 
and that they had no fault to find with him. Then in 
their turn they asked him if he had anything against them, 
and he answered — 

" My brothers so dear, I feel nothing but love towards 
you and towards all God's people." 

Then he asked how near the time was when the 
brothers would be going forth to teach the people and to 
sing their morning chant ; and when they said, " It is not 
far hence," he answered — 

" It is well ; let us joyfully await the time"; and laying 
his head on the pillow, in a little while he fell asleep, and 
so peacefully ended his life. 

The story of Ccedmon ivas told by King Alfred in a translation 
that he made of a book by the Vejierable Bede which ivas writte?i 
in Latin. 

IV 

THE STORY OF THE FIGHT AT MALDON 

NEAR the town of Maldon, in Essex, flows the River 
Panta, or Blackwater, as it is now called ; and on 
its banks was once fought one of the fiercest fights that 
ever took place between the Danes and the English. The 
river is divided into two branches, and on the strip of land 



THE STORY OF THE FIGHT AT MALDON 19 

between them the Danish sea-warriors were stationed, 
while the English, with their leader Brygtnoth at their 
head, were on the other side of one of the streams. 

Then Brygtnoth bade his men dismount from their 
horses and go forth to battle, trusting in the might of 
their arms and their good purpose. One of the warriors 
was playing with a hawk, so little did he fear the fight ; 
but now he loosed it from his hand, and as it flew to the 
woods strode forth to the battle ; and all men could see 
by his bold countenance that he at least would not flag 
in the fight. Eadric also stepped forth, eager to fight for 
his lord, and bearing his weapons in readiness. Of good 
courage was he as he gripped his shield and broadsword, 
for now was his boast that he would fight before his lord 
about to be fulfilled. 

Then Brygtnoth began to encourage his men. He rode 
and he counselled ; he taught the warriors how they should 
stand, keeping each his appointed place, and bade them 
hold their spears upright and firm, fearing naught ; and 
when he had full nobly exhorted his people, he sprang 
from his horse amid those of his retainers whom he knew 
to be most faithful and who were most dear to him. 

Now soon a messenger from the Vikings stood forth on 
the bank of the river and shouted boastfully to Brygtnoth — 

" The swift sea-warriors send me to thee, bidding me 
say that thou must quickly send bracelets and rings to 
win safety for thyself and for thy people ; for it were 
better to pay tribute to keep back our attack than to let 
us deal fierce battle to you. We need not destroy you 
if you will perform this, for we will make a firm truce in 
exchange for your gold. If thou, who art most powerful 
here, counsellest thus thy people, we will go to our ships 
with the tribute and leave you in peace." 

But Brygtnoth grasped his spear, and with angry and 
resolute mien made answer — 

" Listen, O seafarer, to what this people saith. The 
tribute that they will pay you shall be one of spears and 



20 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

swords, nor shall your own weapons avail you in the fight. 
Give to thy people, O messenger of pirates, tidings of 
hatred. Say that a noble earl stands here with his army, 
who will defend this country, the home of Ethelred ; yea, 
and ye heathen shall perish in the fight. Great shame 
does it seem to me that you should go scathless to your 
ships with our tribute ; you shall not obtain the treasure 
so easily. For ere we give you tribute, the spear and the 
sword shall be satisfied." 

Thus he spake, and ordered his men to go forward, 
bearing their shields, till they stood upon the river-bank. 
Yet neither army could come to the other, for the water 
of Panta's stream flowed between them, and only by the 
flight of the arrows could one side injure the other. 

But soon the tide began to go out, and then many a 
sea-warrior stood ready and eager to begin the fight. 
The Danes would have to cross the stream by a ford ; 
and Brygtnoth bade the bold warrior Wulfstan, Ceola's 
son, go to hold it, taking with him JEHheve and Maccus, 
men of dauntless courage. On no account would they 
leave their post, but would fight steadfastly as long as 
they could wield their weapons. 

Now when the enemy found these fierce guardians at 
the ford, they tried to deceive them, begging that they 
might lead their troops unharmed over the stream ; and 
Brygtnoth, in his pride, granted their boon, crying — 

" Now is the way laid open for ye. Come ye quickly to 
us, and bring your warriors to the battle." 

So the host of the Vikings bore their shields and their 
spears over the bright water to where Brygtnoth and his 
followers stood ready ; and Brygtnoth bade his men form 
the battle-hedge with their shields and hold fast against 
the enemy. 

Now was the hour of battle near, and soon the doomed 
men were to die. The cry of battle arose, and the ravens 
circled round, eager for prey. 

Then the sharp javelins began to fly, bows were kept 



THE STORY OF THE FIGHT AT MALDON 21 

busy, and shields were gripped. Bitter was the onslaught, 
and many a warrior fell, Wulfmaer, the kinsman of Brygt- 
noth, among them. But he was soon avenged, for Edward, 
the chamberlain, stayed not his blows till a Danish warrior 
lay dead at his feet. 

Thus, stern of purpose, the warriors fought, and each 
strove to be the first to take the life of an enemy. 

But ere long a Viking sent forth a dart which wounded 
Brygtnoth. Full of wrath, he thrust with his spear and 
pierced the man through the neck. Then he struck at 
another and slew him, and rejoiced at the deeds he had 
wrought. 

But another dart flew from an enemy's hand and struck 
the noble thane. Then Wulfmaer the Young, who stood 
by his lord, drew the dart from the wound and sent it 
forth again fiercely, and it struck him who had wounded 
Brygtnoth to the ground. 

Meanwhile a warrior drew nigh to the earl, eager to 
seize his rings and armlets and his richly ornamented 
sword. Brygtnoth drew the weapon from its sheath and 
struck at the other's corselet ; but one of the Vikings 
quickly stayed his arm and the gold-hilted sword fell 
to the ground. Then the old warrior, feeling that he had 
received his death-wound, spoke a last word of good cheer 
to his brave comrades, bidding them press forward in the 
fight ; and looking up to the heavens he cried — 

" I thank Thee, Ruler of all men, for all the joys that I 
have had in this world. Now, merciful God, I desire that 
Thou grant my soul bliss, that it may depart in peace, and 
journey to Thee, the Lord of the angels ; and I beseech 
Thee also that these fiends may not conquer us." 

Then the heathens hewed him down ; and both the meiy 
who stood on either side of him, ^Elfnoth and Wulfmaer, 
gave up their lives beside their lord. 

Now those who had no spirit for the fight began to take 
flight when they saw their lord fall, and foremost among 
them were the sons of Odda. Godric was one, to whom 



22 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Brygtnoth had many a time shown favour ; but now he 
leapt upon the horse which belonged to his lord, taking his 
trappings of war also, though shameful was the act, and 
he and his two brothers, Godrinc and Godwig, galloped off 
to the woods, caring nothing for the battle. 

Many others also went with them, forgetful of the 
benefits that Brygtnoth had wrought for them. Even so 
had Offa one day foretold it, saying that though many 
spoke boldly in the assembly, yet in the time of need 
their courage would be found wanting. 

But the proud thanes who stayed behind pressed forward 
eagerly, for they longed either to lose their lives or to 
avenge their lord ; and a young warrior, ^Elfwin, en- 
couraged the others, crying boldly — 

" Remember the boasts that we made at the banquet 
concerning the day of battle. Now shall we see who is in 
good sooth brave. I will make known my noble birth to 
all men ; for my father was Ealhelm, a wise and rich 
alderman of a clan that is great among the Mercians. 
Now therefore shall no man among my people twit me, 
saying that I fled from this army to my home when my 
lord lay hewn to pieces in the battle. Great is my grief at 
his death, for he was both my kinsman and my lord." 

Then he pressed on to the forefront of the battle, and 
soon he lay dead with his weapon beside him. 

Now after this Offa bade his comrades go forward, and 
shaking his spear he cried — 

" Lo ! thou, JElhv'm, hast nobly encouraged the thanes ; 
now that our lord is dead, we have great need to put heart 
into each other. For Godric, the coward, has betrayed us, 
and turned many a man from the battle, when he rode 
away on the horse that was our lord's ; for then was our 
army divided and our shield-array broken up." 

Leofson spoke also, raising on high his linden-shield. 

" I swear," quoth he, " that I will not flee a single step 
hence, but rather will go forward, to avenge our lord. The 
men of Stourmere, where I live, shall not taunt me, now 



THE STORY OF THE FIGHT AT MALDON 23 

that the earl is dead, saying that I went home from the 
battle without a master ; for the cold steel of the weapon's 
point shall take away my life." 

And with these words he strode forth fiercely, scornful of 
flight, and did battle without flinching. 

Then Dunhere, the old freeman, cried aloud to them all, 
bidding each man avenge the death of Brygtnoth. 

" He who thinks to wreak the earl's death on the foe," he 
said, " must neither hesitate, nor care aught for his life." 

So now all the warriors joined together in the onslaught, 
and called upon God to give them vengeance. There was 
with them also a hostage, named Ashferth, a man of 
Northumbria ; and he, plying his arrows rapidly, fought 
with great valour, dealing many a death-wound to the 
enemy. 

At length Edward the Tall stood forth, eager and 
ready, boasting that he too would not turn back a foot's 
length since his lord lay dead ; and breaking through the 
wall of shields, he fought hand to hand with the enemy, 
and worthily avenged the earl's death. So also did 
^Etheric and many another ; and the din and stress of 
conflict waxed great. Many a bold warrior fell, and many 
encouraged the others, bidding them fight resolutely and 
yield nothing. Of these Brygtwold was one, an aged 
retainer whose words were of the bravest. 

" Let your courage be fiercer, your spirits be bolder, 
your purpose more steadfast as our forces grow smaller," 
he cried. " Here lies our good leader all hewn to pieces 
in the dust, and he who departs at this hour from the battle 
will for ever repent it. I am now old in years, but I shall 
not flee : rather I think to lie beside my lord, and beside 
the many dear comrades who have fallen in the fight." 

In like manner also did Godric exhort them all, and 
then sprang at their head into the fight, dealing death- 
blows to the Vikings, till he too perished ; but this was not 
the Godric who had fled from the battle. 

Then the conflict grew sterner ; yet the warriors stood 



24 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

steadfast, though many sank down, worn out by their 
wounds, and destruction fell upon them. But the Danes 
far outnumbered their foes, and at last all Brygtnoth's 
followers lay dead and the victory fell to the invaders ; 
but from that day to this the English have received all 
honour for the gallant fight that they made. 



The fight at Maldon, which took place between the English and 
the Danes at the end of the tenth century, was described by a poet 
zvho zuas probably himself an eye-witness of the battle. 



V 

THE STORY OF VORTIGER AND CONSTANCE 

ONCE there dwelt in Britain a king who was named 
Constantin ; and he had three sons, Constance, 
Aurelius, and Uther. 

Now when Constance had grown old enough to ride the 
king was advised to send him to Winchester to be made 
a monk ; but Aurelius and Uther remained in the court 
under the care of a good archbishop named Guencelin. 

But Constantin did not live long to rule his kingdom, 
for he was done to death by a wicked traitor, and sorrow 
fell among his people. Moreover, they knew not what to 
do, for Constance was a monk, and Aurelius and Uther 
were too young to reign. So they assembled together in 
London to take counsel, and at last decided to make 
Aurelius king in spite of his youth. 

But a certain crafty man named Vortiger advised them 
to wait for a fortnight and consider the matter further 
and then to meet again. To this they agreed, and all 
departed to their homes. 

Then Vortiger, who owned a part of Wales, and had 
with him a retinue of forty good knights from his estate, 
rode to Winchester, and asked leave of the abbot who 
governed the monastery where Constance was a monk to 



THE STORY OF VORTIGER AND CONSTANCE 25 

be allowed to speak to the king's young son ; and the 
abbot granted him his request. So Constance was sum- 
moned, and Vortiger said to him — 

" Constance, hearken to my counsel, for now is thy father 
dead, and the elders have chosen Aurelius for their king. 
But I have opposed them, and if thou wilt swear an oath 
to me that thou wilt increase my land and wilt make me 
thy steward, I will take off thy monk's robes and make 
thee king of Britain." 

Constance was well pleased at these words and readily 
swore to do as Vortiger wished. 

Then Vortiger the Crafty took a cloak belonging to one 
of his knights and put it on the boy, and led him out of 
the place where they were holding speech together, and 
bade him ride away from the monastery ; and he put 
the monk's robes on a knight and pretended to be talking 
with him, so that when the other monks passed by they 
were deceived and thought that it was Constance. 

At last Vortiger arose and departed from the monastery 
with his knights ; and then the monks found that Con- 
stance had gone too. 

So the abbot leapt upon his horse and rode after 
Vortiger, and overtook him, and bade him give up Con- 
stance. But Vortiger swore to hang him if he did not 
immediately release the king's son from his vows as 
a monk ; and the abbot durst not refuse him, and so was 
forced to unhood Constance forthwith. 

After this Vortiger rode on his way towards London, 
and he bade his knights keep secret all that had happened 
till the appointed day of meeting came. 

Now a great company of people came together on that 
day, and again they agreed to make Aurelius king, for 
Uther was too little, they said, and Constance was a monk, 
and they did not think it right to make a monk king. 
But when he heard their decision Vortiger leapt to his 
feet in the assembly, looking fierce as a lion, and cried out 
that Constance was no longer a monk, for the abbot had 



26 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

unhooded him ; and when he had spoken thus, he brought 
forth the boy before them all, saying — 

" Lo, here is he who shall be king of Britain, and who- 
ever gainsays it shall pay dearly for his words." 

At this they were all afraid and durst not say anything. 
So Vortiger took the crown and set it on Constance's 
head, and he became king, and made Vortiger his steward, 
as he had promised to do. But Constance knew nothing 
of the laws of the land and how to govern it, for he had 
only learnt the duties of a monk, so that he was very much 
in Vortiger's power. Now one day Vortiger came to him, 
and said that it was rumoured that the kings of Norway, 
Denmark, Russia, and Scotland were all coming to make 
war upon his kingdom, and that he must send for strong 
knights to fill his castles and defend his land. 

Constance agreed readily to this, and Vortiger took his 
leave with an evil laugh, and straightway sent messengers 
to Scotland inviting three hundred of the best knights 
among the Picts to come to the court in London. 

Soon the knights arrived, and Vortiger greeted them 
gladly. 

" Knights," he said, " you are welcome. I have this 
kingdom entirely in my power, and you shall dwell 
with me, and I will bring you before the king, and you 
shall have silver and gold and fine raiment, and the best 
horses in the land, if you will hold me for your lord." 

Then the knights answered with one accord, " We will" ; 
and Vortiger gave them high places in the court, and 
loaded them with presents, and even took away the goods 
of the Britons to give them to the Picts. 

So for two years the knights dwelt at the court, till one 
day the wicked Vortiger made a treacherous plan. He 
invited all the Picts to eat with him at an inn, and when 
they sat with him at the board, he gave them many kinds 
of drinks and kept them revelling till the day was nearly 
spent. Then when he saw that they were drunk he said 
to them — 



THE STORY OF VORTIGER AND CONSTANCE 27 

" Hearken now to me, knights, and I will tell you of a 
great sorrow that troubles me. The king made me the 
steward of this land, but I have to yield up to him all the 
tribute money that I take in my stewardship ; and now I 
have spent all my own wealth to please you, and have 
nothing more to give to you who are dearer to me than 
"any men. Therefore I must depart hence, and go to serve 
some other king and gain wealth with him ; and if I thrive 
well I will come again and reward you for your services. 
And now farewell, for I must go hence to-night, and it 
may be that you will never see me more." 

When he had spoken thus, he saddled his horse and 
rode away with twelve knights as though he were depart- 
ing out of the land. 

Now the Picts believed all the treacherous words that 
he had spoken, and when he had gone they took counsel 
together, and agreed to slay Constance and make Vortiger 
king in his stead. 

So they rode away to the court and passed through the 
hall to the king's chamber, where they found him sitting 
by the fire. Then one of their number named Gille Cal- 
laet spoke to the king and asked him to give them some 
beer to drink, and Constance ordered some drink to be 
brought for them, and they began to revel. 

But presently Gille Callaet cried out — 

" Where are ye, knights ? Bestir yourselves forthwith." 

Then they seized the king and smote off his head, and 
slew all his knights beside him. 

Now when they had carried out their wicked deed, they 
sent a messenger to London whither Vortiger had gone, 
bidding him come and take the kingdom for his own. 

Meanwhile Vortiger had made a yet more treacherous 
plan than any he had made before. When the messenger 
came he bade him ride back to the Picts and bid them 
all await him where they were, until he came to divide the 
land among them. Then he sent over all London, bidding 
the people come together for a meeting ; and when the 



28 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

townsmen were assembled, he began to weep and sigh 
most sorrowfully. 

So the townsmen asked what grieved him, and he replied 
with cunning speech, saying — 

" Alas, a great calamity is come to the land. I have 
been your king's steward, and have loved him as my life ; 
but he would not take my advice, and now misfortune has 
befallen him. He loved the Picts, but he gave them no 
reward for their services. I spent my wealth for them 
while it lasted, and I was even now on my way to my own 
land in Wales to collect the tribute owing to me, and then 
return to the court. But when the Picts saw that there 
was no longer any one who would give them riches, they 
entered the king's chamber and slew him ; and now they 
think to destroy us all, and choose a king from among 
themselves. But I will avenge my lord, and every brave 
man will help me. I will put on my battle gear and set 
forth straightway." 

The people were greatly stirred by these words, and 
soon thirty hundred knights marched out of London 
behind Vortiger the Traitor and hastened to the place 
where the Picts were assembled. But at first Vortiger 
pretended that he was come in peace and sent a message 
to them asking them to receive him. 

So they came forth unarmed, carrying with them the 
king's head. Now when Vortiger saw it he began to 
mourn and lament, though inwardly he rejoiced in his 
wicked heart ; and presently he cried to his followers — 

" Every brave man lay on them with the sword and 
avenge our lord the king." 

Then the Britons fell upon the Picts and slew every 
one of them, and sought out their servants and slew them 
also, so that there was not a Pict left in the land. 

Now when they heard that Constance was dead, the 
wise men who had charge of Aurelius and Uther were 
afraid of Vortiger. So they took the children over the sea 
into Lesser Britain and delivered them to King Biduz, 



THE STORY OF VORTIGER AND HENGEST 29 

who ruled there ; and he received them kindly, for he was 
their kinsman and their friend, and was glad to bring them 
up in his own court. 

But Vortiger the Traitor was made king in Britain, and 
all the strong towns lay in his power, and he ruled harshly 
and oppressed the people. 

Nevertheless all did not go well with him, for he was 
continually troubled by the Picts, who came out of their 
own land and did great harm by their ravages in his king- 
dom ; for they sought to avenge their kinsmen whom he 
had slain. 

VI 

THE STORY OF VORTIGER AND HENGEST 

WHEN Vortiger had been ruling in Britain for some 
time, there came a day when strange tidings were 
brought to him. Three ships had come over the sea and 
sailed up the Thames, bearing three hundred knights, 
besides the sailors who manned the ships. 

So Vortiger sent a messenger to the strangers asking 
them their business and whether they were come in peace ; 
and they sent back word that they desired to speak to him 
peaceably, and that if he would receive them they would 
serve him, and hold him as their lord. 

So the knights were brought to Vortiger's court at Canter- 
bury, and he welcomed them gladly and asked them whence 
they came. Then the eldest of them answered — 

" Listen to me, Lord King, and I will make known to 
you what knights we are and whence we come. I am 
called Hengest, and this is Hors, my brother. We come 
from Saxland in Alemaine, a rich land where the people 
are so numerous that every fifteen years we draw lots 
among ourselves, and those upon whom the lot falls must 
leave their country and go to a foreign land on pain of 
death. So now the lot has fallen upon us, and we are 
come to seek service under thee." 

Vortiger rejoiced when he heard Hengest's speech, for 



30 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

he thought that these foreign knights would help him 
against the Picts. So Hengest and Hors and all their 
Saxon kinsmen were received into the court, and Vortiger 
paid them great honour, and even favoured them more 
than he did his own knights. 

Xot long after this tidings came to the court that the 
Picts had crossed the Humber and were ravaging the 
country in the north. Then Vortiger sent Hengest and 
Hors with the Saxon knights to do battle for him, and 
they overcame the Picts and drove them back into their 
own land. 

After this the Saxons were in higher favour with the 
king than ever. But Hengest wished to make himself 
more powerful still, so he devised a cunning plan to deceive 
Vortiger. 

He told him that he had often heard the courtiers 
whisper secretly among themselves that they hated the 
king, and that they wished Aurelius and Uther would 
come to avenge their brother Constance's death upon him. 
In order that Vortiger might be safe if Aurelius did come 
back, or if the Britons rose in rebellion, Hengest suggested 
that he should send for some more of his kinsfolk to come 
to Britain. But if he did this, Vortiger must give him a 
royal castle to dwell in, where he might be safe from the 
jealousy of the Britons ; and in return the king should 
have Hengest's daughter Rouwenne for his wife. 

Vortiger was pleased with this plan, and promised to 
cnve Hensrest all manner of riches for his kinsfolk if thev 

O O y 

came to Britain ; but he said that he could not give 
Hengest the castle, because his people would reproach him 
too bitterly for it. Then the wily Hengest begged that 
instead of the castle he might have as much land as a bull's 
hide would cover, and Vortiger agreed to give him the land. 
So Hengest sent messengers to Alemaine to fetch his 
kinsfolk, and then he took the hide of a strong wild bull and 
set forth to find a fair spot on which to spread the hide. 
Now when he had found a place that pleased him, he took 



THE STORY OF VORTIGER AND HENGEST 31 

the hide and laid it on a board ; and he sharpened his 
shears and cut the skin into a long, narrow thong, like a 
thread of twine. With this he enclosed a great piece of 
land, and on it he built a strong castle with a moat and a 
stone wall surrounding it ; and he named the castle 
Thongchester, and so it was called for many years, till the 
Danes came and drove out those who dwelt there and gave 
it the name of Lancaster. 

In the meantime Hengest's wife and daughter and kins- 
men had come to Britain, and he received them into his 
castle and invited Vortiger to a feast in honour of their 
arrival. So they made great revelry together, and in the 
midst of the banquet Hengest's daughter Rouwenne came 
forth clad in splendid robes, and she and Vortiger were 
wedded, as Hengest had promised. 

Not long after this the king himself made a feast and 
invited all the knights in the land to it. But the Britons 
refused to go, because the king showed so much greater 
favour to Hengest and his knights than towards themselves. 

Now when Hengest heard of this, he again went to 
Vortiger with wily counsel. There were yet left in 
Alemaine two of Hengest's strongest kinsmen, Octa his 
son and Ebissa his son-in law ; and Hengest now proposed 
that they also should come to Britain to defend Vortiger 
against his enemies, bringing with them as large a com- 
pany of knights as they could gather together. 

Again Vortiger agreed to Hengest's plans, and soon 
afterwards a great company of Saxon warriors came sail- 
ing in their ships to Britain and spread all over the land, 
so that they almost outnumbered the Britons. 

But when the Britons saw how many strangers had come 
to live in their country, they went to the king with sorrow- 
ful hearts and begged him to drive the Saxons out. 

" For if thou*wilt not," they said, " we will make a great 
fight and drive them from the land ourselves, or else die in 
the attempt and leave this realm to these strangers." 

But Vortiger answered — 



32 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

" By my life, I will not turn these men away ! Hengest 
is my father, and I am his son, and his daughter Rouwenne 
is my wife. Moreover, I have sent for Octa and his 
companions to be my guests. How may I for very shame 
forsake my dear friends and drive them from my land ? " 

Then the Britons answered sorrowfully — 

" Nevermore, then, will we obey thy commands, nor come 
to thy court, nor hold thee for king. But we will hate thee 
with great strength and seek to do harm to all thy 
foreign friends." 

So they went out of the king's presence and betook 
themselves to London, where a great meeting was assem- 
bled to decide what might best be done. 

Now Vortiger had three sons who were the children of 
his first wife, and their names were Vortimer, Pascent, and 
Catiger. These three all came to the meeting, for they 
were loyal Britons and hated the Saxon knights. Then 
the people took Vortimer and made him their king with 
much rejoicing ; and he at once sent a bold message to 
Hengest and Hors, bidding them depart out of Britain, or 
they would soon suffer death at his hands. 

Hengest, however, sent back a defiant answer, and Vorti- 
mer began immediately to gather together a great army. 

In a few days a great company of warriors marched 
out of London with Vortimer and Catiger at their head to 
meet Vortiger and Hengest and their forces ; and soon the 
two armies, numbering sixty thousand men, met on the 
banks of the River Darwent. 

Then a great battle took place, for each side fought with 
might and valour. Many were the men who fell, but most 
fell on Hengest's side ; and once a fierce encounter took 
place between Hors and Catiger, and both were sorely 
wounded. But at last Hengest and Vortiger took to flight 
with all their followers, and Vortimer and the Britons 
pursued them. 

They fled till they came to the Kentish coast opposite 
the Isle of Thanet ; there they turned and faced their 



THE STORY OF THE RETURN OF AURELIUS 33 

enemies, and another fierce combat took place. But again 
the Saxons were worsted, and at last they leapt into the 
ships that lay at anchor in the Thames and rowed towards 
the island, hoping to find refuge there. But the Britons 
found other boats, and followed them, and began to strike 
at them and shoot them once more. 

Then Hengest took a spear-shaft that was long and 
tough, and put on the end of it a fair mantle to make 
a flag of truce, and called out to the Britons, asking for a 
parley, and saying that he would send Vortiger to them to 
make an agreement. 

So the Britons went back to Vortimer on the mainland, 
and Hengest called Vortiger to him and spoke to him 
secretly ; and then Vortiger went over to the mainland, 
bearing a wand of peace in his hand. 

But while Vortimer and his father were talking together, 
the Saxons suddenly leapt into their ships once more, and 
hoisting their sails as quickly as possible, sailed away 
towards the open sea, leaving Vortiger and all their wives 
and children to their fate. Great was Vortiger's grief as 
he saw them go, for now he had not a single friend left to 
help him to regain his throne, and no man would give him 
anything but reproaches. 

But the Britons were full of joy at their deliverance 
from the foreign knights who had dwelt in their country 
for so long and obtained so much power for themselves 
The young king, Vortimer, was a mild yet powerful king 
and ruled his people wisely, so that all the nation loved 
him greatly, and once more for a time the Britons lived in 
peace and prosperity. 

VII 

THE STORY OF THE RETURN OF AURELIUS 

VORTIMER ruled over the Britons for five years. 
But Rouwenne, his stepmother, was plotting all the 
time to avenge her kinsmen and to win back her husband's 
power. She did not do this openly, but pretended to be 
3 



34 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

friendly towards Vortimer, sending him presents of gold 
and silver and other treasures, and asking him humbly to 
allow her to live in peace with Vortiger. This request he 
granted, for he knew nothing of her treachery. 

At last one day Rouwenne went to Vortimer and told 
him that she had come to be baptized, for she and all the 
Saxons were heathens. At this he rejoiced greatly, for he 
had long wished that she would receive the Christian faith. 
So he ordered trumpets to be sounded as a sign of thanks- 
giving, and he summoned his courtiers to feast with him, 
and called forth his harpers to play during the banquet. 

Now in the midst of the feast Rouwenne arose from her 
seat, and taking a golden bowl, she filled it with wine and 
carried it to the king before all the people. And first she 
drank half of the wine herself; but before she offered the 
cup to Vortimer, she poured into it some poison from 
a little phial that she had hidden in her dress. 

The king took the cup from her and drank up the 
wine, and the feast went on merrily. 

When night came the courtiers separated, and Rouwenne 
went to her inn and all her knights with her. But she 
did not stay for her evil deed to be discovered. Bidding 
her followers saddle their horses at once, she rode away 
with them secretly and in haste to Thongchester, where 
she shut herself into the castle, telling Vortiger that 
Vortimer was coming to besiege it. 

In the meanwhile Vortimer had discovered that he had 
taken poison, and he soon saw that nothing could save his 
life. So he summoned all his knights, and divided among 
them his lands and his riches, and begged them to make 
ready to defend themselves against the Saxons, for he felt 
sure that when he was dead Hengest would return to 
Britain. 

So Vortimer the king died and was buried in London 
amidst great mourning. 

But afterwards the Britons listened to the evil advice of 
foolish men among themselves, for they took the crown 



THE STORY OF THE RETURN OF AURELIUS 35 

and offered it once more to the wicked Vortiger, and 
delivered to him all the kingdom of Britain. 

As soon as he was king again, Vortiger sent word to 
Hengest, inviting him to come back to Britain. But he 
bade him bring with him only a hundred knights, lest the 
Britons should be angered again. 

Soon, however, tidings came to Vortiger which filled 
him with anxiety. Hengest had sailed up the Thames to 
London with seven hundred ships, in each of which there 
were three hundred knights. The message that he sent to 
Vortiger was one of peace, however. 

" I have come hither," he said, " to dwell in peace, and 
I will love all this nation, and Vortiger the king also. 
I have brought with me a company of the bravest knights 
that dwell under the sun, and on an appointed day I will 
lead them to the king before all his people. Then he shall 
choose from them two hundred knights to fight for him 
and guard him from his enemies, and the rest shall return 
again to Saxland in peace and amity." 

So Vortiger appointed a day and a place for the meet- 
ing ; and it was agreed that neither the Britons nor the 
Saxons should carry any weapons on that day, as a proof 
of their friendship and their good faith in each other. 

But the traitor Hengest bade his men hide long knives 
under their hose and be ready to use them when he gave 
the signal. 

When the two companies of knights met Hengest greeted 
the king with fair words, and soon the Britons and the Saxons 
were riding up and down together, and talking as though 
they were brothers. But suddenly Hengest cried out — 

" Take your knives, my good warriors, and bestir your- 
selves bravely, sparing none." 

Then the Saxons seized their weapons and fell upon 
the Britons, killing them by hundreds, for they had nothing 
but stones with which to defend themselves. Vortig-er 
himself would soon have teen slain, but Hengest protected 
him, crying — 



36 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

" Stop, my knights ; ye shall not destroy him, for he has 
suffered many troubles on our account, and moreover he 
has my fair daughter Rouwenne as his queen. But if he 
wishes to live he must deliver his kingdom to us." 

Then Vortiger was bound in irons, and given no food, 
nor allowed to speak with any man, till he had sworn a 
solemn oath to give up the kingdom to Hengest. 

So now Hengest became king of Britain, and divided up 
all the richest part of the land among his followers, giving 
Kent to one knight, and Essex to his steward, and Middle- 
sex to his chamberlain ; and Vortiger fled away over the 
Severn into Wales and tarried there with a small retinue. 

But he had still a great many riches hoarded away, and 
he now offered a reward to any knight who would come 
and enter his service. Soon, therefore, many a Briton and 
many a Scot came riding into Wales, till at last Vortiger 
had assembled a force of sixty thousand men. 

He then took counsel with them as to where he might 
build a castle which he could hold against Hengest ; and 
a wise man from among his knights advised him to build 
it on the mount of Reir, in the west of Wales. 

So Vortiger went thither with all his warriors, and they 
set to work to build the castle. They dug a ditch for the 
foundations of the first wall and piled up stones one on 
the other with the aid of machines, using lime to bind the 
stones together. 

But during the night the wall fell down. On the 
morrow, therefore, they had to build it up again ; but 
again it fell down in the night, and again they built it up, 
but to no purpose ; and so it continued for a fortnight ; 
each day they raised up the wall, and each night it fell 
down again. 

Then the host was terribly afraid, for they expected 
Hengest to come every day, before they were ready to 
defend themselves against him. Vortiger also was filled 
with grief and fear, and sent for sages to come and try by 
their craft to make the wall stand firm. But it was all in 



THE STORY OF THE RETURN OF AURELIUS 37 

vain, for the wall fell down afresh every night just as 
before. 

Now amongst the wise men there was one named 
Joram, who bore a grudge against a certain young lad 
named Merlin. This man came to Vortiger, and said that 
if some blood from Merlin's breast were mingled with the 
lime which was used for building the wall, that then it 
would stand to the world's end. 

So Merlin was sought out and brought before Vortiger. 
But when he heard what Joram had said he was angered. 

" Now Heaven be my witness," quoth he, " that there is 
no need for my blood to be shed in order that the castle 
may be built. The sages have lied, and Joram said this 
because he is my foe. Let him and his companions come 
forth, and if I can show truly why the wall falls down 
and how it should be made stronger, then let me have 
their heads to punish them for their lying." 

So Joram and the other sages were brought before 
Vortiger, and Merlin asked them why the wall fell to the 
ground, and what there was at the bottom of the ditch in 
which its foundations were laid ; but they could give him 
no answer. 

Then said Merlin, " Let the ditch be dug seven feet 
deeper, and at the bottom of it will be found a very broad 
stone." 

This was soon done, and there lay the stone as Merlin 
had said. 

" Now tell me, Joram," said Merlin, " what kind of thing 
lies beneath the stone." 

But Joram could not tell. Merlin, however, said that 
there was water there ; and when the stone was removed 
they found the water. 

" And what dvvelleth at the bottom of the water, winter 
and summer ? " asked Merlin. But again Joram was 
silent, and again Merlin was able to tell. 

" Cause this water to be carried off," he said, " for at the 
bottom dwell two strong dragons, one on the north side 



38 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

and one on the south. The first is milk-white, and unlike 
any other beast ; the second is blood-red, and is the boldest 
of all such monsters. Each night at midnight they have 
begun to fight, and then the earth has been shaken and 
the wall has tumbled down." 

When they heard that the reason for the fall of the wall 
had been discovered, all the knights rejoiced, and hastily 
set to work to empty the water out of the ditch. 

Soon the water was all carried off, and out rushed the 
two dragons and began to fight fiercely, making a great 
noise and breathing forth flames and sparks. First the 
white dragon had the advantage in the fight, and then the 
red one wounded him to death, and at last both fled away 
into their holes and were never seen again. 

Now when Vortiger saw that everything that Merlin 
had foretold had come true, he loved him greatly, and 
promised to give him land and gold and silver, for he 
hoped that he would help him to win back the kingdom. 
But he was angry with Joram and his companions and 
had them all put to death. 

After this Vortiger questioned Merlin first as to the 
meaning of the two dragons, and afterwards as to what 
would come to pass in the future ; and Merlin told him 
that the dragons betokened two kings who were yet to 
come, and who would fight against each other ; and he 
warned him that on the very next day Aurelius and 
Uther would land at Dartmouth with seven hundred ships 
to avenge their brother Constance's death. Wherever 
Vortiger might flee they would pursue him, and at last 
Aurelius would be king of Britain, and after him Uther 
would reign and would destroy all Vortiger's kinsfolk. 

When Vortiger heard this, he caused thirteen trumpets 
to t>e blown, and marched forth with his army as quickly 
as he could, and took refuge in a castle near the River Wye. 

On the morrow Aurelius and Uther landed at Dart- 
mouth, as Merlin had foretold. They brought with them 
a great army assembled from among the people of many 



THE STORY OF THE RETURN OF AURELIUS 39 

lands, and directly they landed they set forth to the castle 
where they heard that Vortiger lay and besieged it. 

For a long time the siege lasted, and many fierce 
onslaughts took place; but at last Aurelius' knights, seeing 
that they could not win their way into the castle, hastened 
to a wood hard by, cut down the trees, and brought great 
piles of wood to fill the ditch around the castle. Then 
they set fire to the wood on every side, and the wind blew 
the flames into a mighty blaze, and soon the whole castle 
with all the people therein was burnt to the ground. 

Thus the wicked Vortiger perished at last, and the 
Britons chose Aurelius to be king in his stead. 

But Hengest was still ruling in Britain, and he had 
Octa and Ebissa and many a Saxon knight to defend him, 
so that Aurelius had a great many more battles to fight 
before he could enter into possession of his kingdom. At 
last, however, after many days had passed, Hengest was 
taken prisoner and put to death, and Octa and Ebissa 
came humbly to Aurelius asking for pardon, and promising 
to be baptized as Christians and to live in peace for the 
rest of their lives. So the king pardoned them and gave 
them some land to dwell upon, and they were baptized, 
and never troubled him more. 

After this Aurelius set his kingdom in order, giving 
a portion of land to each of his knights, and causing 
churches and halls to be built in place of all those which 
had been destroyed during the many wars that had been 
waged in Britain since the death of his brother Constance. 

When all this was done, he went to Ambresbury, the 
place where so many Britons had been done to death 
through the treachery of Hengest, and at the same time 
he sent in search of clever stone-hewers, for he wished to put 
up a memorial to his countrymen who had been buried there. 

Now when this was made known, a certain bishop 
advised the king to send for Merlin to help him to build 
his memorial, for no man was so skilled as he in the art 
of building mighty works. 



40 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

So Merlin came to the king's court, and all the people 
rejoiced at his coming, and Aurelius told him what he had 
in mind to do and asked him for his help. 

Then said Merlin — 

" I will counsel thee in thy need, O Aurelius, for I know 
a work such as that which thou desirest. It stands in 
Ireland, and is called the Giants' Ring; and it is made 
of stones which are so great and heavy that no man would 
be strong enough to bring them hither ; but if thou wilt 
send a host to Ireland I will go with them, and with my 
art will show them how to bring the stones to Ambresbury, 
and set them up above the burial-place of thy friends." 

So Aurelius sent Uther to Ireland at the head of an 
army, and Merlin went with them. 

Now the king of Ireland at that time was Gillomar, 
and w r hen he heard that the Britons had come to his land 
to fetch the stones, he swore they should not have them, 
and boasted that he would soon drive the invaders out 
of his country. But ere long he had cause to regret his 
boasting, for in the battle that took place between his 
followers and the Britons most of his men were killed and 
the rest took to flight. 

After this the Britons went on their way in peace, till 
they came to the hill where the Giants' Ring stood ; and 
when they beheld it they marvelled exceedingly, for it was 
unlike anything that they had ever seen. 

Then Merlin bade them try to move the stones, and 
they tied strong sail-ropes around one of them, and 
laboured with all their might to draw it from its place, 
but they could not move it at all. 

So Merlin bade the knights stand back, and going to 
the stones himself, he walked around them three times, 
and moved his lips as though he were telling his beads. 
Then he called Uther to him and bade him carry the 
stones quickly to the ships, for by his magic art he had 
made them as light as feathers. 

When the knights tried again to lift the stones they 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 41 

found that they were indeed as light as Merlin had said, and 
they easily carried them to their ships and brought them 
over to the plain of Ambresbury. And there Merlin set them 
up by his art, without the aid of any other man, and tidings 
were sent to the king that the work was safely accomplished. 

Aurelius was overjoyed when he heard this, and he bade 
his people come together at Ambresbury on Whit Sunday, 
to honour the place and rejoice that the memorial had 
been raised. 

So on Whit Sunday a great feast was held at Ambres- 
bury. Nine thousand tents were pitched upon the plain, 
and for three days there was rejoicing and merry-making. 
The king was there, wearing his crown and royal robes; and 
he caused the place to be hallowed, and decreed that from 
thenceforth it should be called Stonehenge. 

So now Aurelius had avenged his brother Constance's 
death upon Vortiger, and had slain Hengest the Saxon 
who had usurped the kingdom of Britain, and had raised 
up a memorial to the Britons who had perished through 
Hengest's treachery. He did not live many years to rule 
over the land, and he had many more battles to fight 
before he died ; but all his people loved him while he lived 
and mourned him at his death ; and he was buried at the 
eastern end of Stonehenge, among the other British warriors 
who lay there. 

The stories about Vortiger were told by a priest named Layamon, 
in a poem writte?i at the end of the twelfth century. This poem 
was a chronicle of early English history and legend \ and ivas called 
Layamorfs " Brut" 

VIII 

THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 

I. HOW HAVELOK CAME TO MARRY GOLDBOROUGH 

THERE was once a king of England called Athelwold, 
who ruled his people so well and so wisely that young 
and old loved him, and the whole country was at peace. 



42 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Now he had but one daughter as his heir, and when she 
was still so young that she could neither walk nor talk, he 
fell ill with a mortal sickness. 

Then was the king greatly distressed, for he knew not 
who would take care of his little Goldborough when he 
was dead. 

So he sent forth writs, and summoned all his earls and 
barons from Roxburgh unto Dover ; and with much sorrow 
they gathered together at Winchester, where the king lay 
sick. 

Then Athelwold welcomed them and thanked them for 
coming to him ; and afterwards he bade them tell him who 
would best guard his daughter when he was dead, and rule 
the kingdom till she was old enough to govern it herself. 

To this the knights answered with one accord that 
Earl Godrich of Cornwall would be the best man to under- 
take the task, for he was a true man, and was wise in 
counsel and in action, and much feared by the people. 

So the king made Godrich swear a sacred oath to guard 
Goldborough until she was old enough to marry, and then 
to give her hand to the strongest and best man in the 
realm ; and when Godrich had sworn the oath, Athelwold 
delivered up the kingdom to him, bidding him keep it until 
.the day of Goldborough's marriage. 

When, therefore, Athelwold soon afterwards died, and 
had been buried with much ceremony and mourning, 
Godrich took possession of the land. He at once set to 
work to get as much power for himself as he could, by 
appointing justices, sheriffs, and other officers whom he 
knew would obey him, and giving the castles in the land 
into the hands of knights in whose loyalty to himself he 
could trust. Soon all England was afraid of him, and he 
grew both rich and powerful. 

Now Goldborough grew up to be very good and beauti- 
ful ; but as the years went on, Godrich, instead of loving 
her and protecting her as he had promised, grew more and 
more jealous of her ; and at last he was fully determined 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 43 

that she should not be queen, but that his own son should 
rule England instead of her. 

So he sent poor Goldborough to Dover, and having shut 
her up in the castle there, kept such close watch over it 
that no one could go nigh to speak to her or to set her 
free ; and there we must leave her while we turn to what 
was happening in quite another country. 

At that time there was a king of Denmark called 
Birkabeyn, who had three children, a son and two 
daughters, named Havelok, Swanborough, and Helfed. 
But while they were still quite young, their father fell ill, 
and feeling that he was dying, sent for his friend Godard 
and gave the children into his care, making him swear to 
cherish them, and to give the kingdom up to the boy 
Havelok when he was old enough to rule over it 
himself. 

But Godard was as great a traitor as was Godrich, and 
as soon as the king was dead, he shut the children up in 
a castle and began to plot how he could get rid of them 
altogether. 

One day he went to the castle, and found the children 
weeping for cold and hunger. But when Havelok saw 
him, he ceased crying, and ran and climbed upon his knee, 
calling out to him in welcome. 

Then Godard asked him why they wept ; and the child 
answered — 

" We have nothing to eat or drink, nor any one to 
befriend us in this castle. Is there no corn that could be 
made into bread for us ? We are so hungry that we wish 
we had never been born." 

But Godard did not care a straw for the children's 
misery, for the real reason that had brought him to the 
castle was that he meant to kill them. So instead of 
getting them some food, he seized the two little girls and 
cut their throats, and then pointed the knife at Havelok's 
breast, meaning to kill him also. But the child fell on his 
knees and begged for mercy, promising to flee from Den- 



44 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

mark and give up all claim to the throne if only Godard 
would spare his life. 

At this the cruel traitor began to feel a little pity and 
to repent of his violence. He stood staring before him 
with the look of a madman, thinking of what he had done. 
But soon his evil thoughts came back again, and he 
remembered that if Havelok were dead his own children 
would be the heirs to the kingdom. 

At last he resolved to have Havelok drowned, and to 
ask a certain fisherman named Grim to do it. So he sent 
for Grim, and promised to make him a rich man if he 
would throw the child secretly into the sea. 

The fisherman consented to do this, and having bound 
and gagged Havelok, he put him in a sack and carried 
him home on his back, meaning to drown him that night. 

When he got home he told his wife what had happened 
and bade her take charge of the boy. 

Thereupon she seized the sack and flung it down so 
roughly that Havelok's crown was broken against a great 
stone that lay on the ground. She paid no heed to his 
plight, however, but left him lying where he was, and she 
and her husband presently went to bed. 

At midnight Grim awoke and remembered his oath to 
drown Havelok ; so he bade his wife rise up, light the fire, 
and bring him his clothes that he might dress. 

Now when the dame approached the place where the 
boy was lying, she saw a wonderful light like a sunbeam 
coming out of his mouth. In great astonishment she 
called her husband, and together they undid the ropes 
which bound him and looked at him more closely ; and 
presently Grim saw on his shoulder a birth-mark in the 
shape of a cross, which he knew to be a sign that the boy 
was the heir of Denmark. 

Then he fell on his knees before Havelok and asked 
him to forgive him, promising to guard him safely and 
secretly until he was old enough to avenge himself on 
Godard and win back the kingdom. His wife also 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 45 

brought food and drink for Havelok, and then put him 
to bed, bidding him sleep peacefully, for he need fear 
nothing. 

On the morrow Grim went to Godard and told him that 
Havelok was drowned. But when he asked for his 
reward, Godard, although he had no suspicion that the 
boy was not really dead, looked at him grimly and bade 
him go home as poor as he had come, for if he asked for 
anything more he should be hanged. 

Then Grim went home in great anxiety, for he feared 
that Godard would discover that Havelok was not dead, 
and would put both himself and the child to death ; and he 
soon determined that he had better flee from the country. 

So he sold his cattle, and fitted up his ship with care, 
and when all was ready entered into it with the young 
prince, his wife, his three sons, and his two fair daughters, 
and rowed out to sea. 

They had scarcely gone a mile from the shore when 
a north wind arose, and drove the ship along fast towards 
England ; and at last they came to land on the banks of 
the River Humber. There Grim built a house for his 
family, and there they settled down to live ; and from 
that time to this the place has been called Grimsby, after 
Grim's name. 

For twelve years Grim lived at Grimsby with his family, 
and he and his two sons plied their trade of fishermen 
and sold fish to the people of Lincoln ; but they would 
not let Havelok work, because he was a king's son. 

At last, however, Havelok refused to live in idleness 
any longer, and he too began to go about selling fish. 

Not very long after this there was a great dearth in that 
part of the country, and the price of bread grew so high 
that Grim had much ado to feed his family. At last he 
was so grieved to see how badly Havelok fared, that he 
advised him to go to Lincoln and try to get work in some 
rich man's house there, where he might get better food. 

So Havelok set out for Lincoln barefoot, and clad in 



46 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

a coat made of an old sail, which was all that Grim was 
able to provide for him. 

For some days he could get no work and had to stay in 
the town fasting ; but at last one day he heard the earl's 
cook call for a porter to carry a load of fish to the castle, 
and pushing aside the other lads who sprang forward to 
offer themselves for the task, he caught up the fish and 
was soon at the castle gates with it. 

Now the cook saw that he was a stalwart lad, and he 
decided to take him into his service. So Havelok went to 
live in the castle, and was made to cut wood and carry 
water, and do other menial tasks, for no one knew that he 
was a king's son. But he did his work with a light heart, 
and was always laughing and gay, so that everybody liked 
him, and all the children made him their playmate. He 
found such favour with the cook that he was given a new 
suit of clothes, and when he put them on he looked so 
handsome that he already had the air of a king. He was 
the tallest man in Lincoln, and the strongest in all 
England, but his nature was as pure and gentle as his 
body was strong. 

Now it befell at this time that Godrich, who was still 
ruling over England, held a parliament at Lincoln ; and 
afterwards games were held, and a number of strong men 
played the game of putting the stone. The stone was so 
heavy that few of them could even lift it ; but when 
Havelok tried his hand he put it twelve feet farther than 
any one else had done. 

The story of this great feat was soon being told all over 
the country, and ere long it came to the ears of Godrich. 

Now as soon as he heard of it he thought of a plan to 
humiliate Goldborough and make it quite impossible for 
her ever to be queen of England. Athelwold had told 
him to marry her to the strongest man in England, and 
he now determined to make her marry Havelok, for if 
she were only a poor man's wife the people would not 
want her to be their queen. 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 47 

So he sent for Goldborough and Havelok, and forced 
them very much against their will to be married. 

Havelok knew not what to do after this, for he dared 
not stay in Lincoln, as he felt sure that Godrich hated 
him and his wife. At last, however, he remembered his 
good friends at Grimsby, and determined to return to 
them and ask their help. 

When he reached Grimsby he found that Grim was 
dead ; but his five children were all alive, and they wel- 
comed him very kindly and begged him to stay with 
them, promising to serve him and his wife to the best of 
their power. 

Havelok gladly consented to this, and a feast was 
spread for him and his wife, and everything was done 
to pay them honour. 

Now that night Goldborough lay awake, feeling very 
sad at having been forced to marry a stranger, and one 
who was of such humble birth as Havelok. But suddenly 
she saw the same great light coming out of Havelok's 
mouth and the same red cross on his shoulder that Grim 
and his wife had seen long years before, and presently 
a voice said to her — 

" Goldborough, be not sad, for Havelok, thy husband, 
is a king's son, and he shall be the king of both Denmark 
and England, and thou shalt be the queen." 

Then Goldborough rejoiced and kissed her husband 
joyfully ; and he awoke, and told her that he had been 
dreaming that all Denmark and England were his. So 
she told him what the voice had said to her, and advised 
him to set out for Denmark forthwith and make it his 
own. 

The next day, therefore, Havelok told Grim's sons the 
story of his childhood and asked them to go with him 
to Denmark, and in a very short time they had made 
ready a ship and were sailing towards their native country. 



4S STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

IX 

THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 

II. HOW HAVELOK BECAME KING OF DENMARK 
AND OF ENGLAND 

WHEN Havelok and Goldborough and their friends 
reached Denmark, they disembarked, and travelled 
till they reached the castle of a great Danish earl, named 
Ubbe, who had been a friend of Havelok's father, Birka- 
beyn, in his lifetime ; and Havelok asked Ubbe to allow 
him to live in that part of the country, and to buy and 
sell there. 

Now Ubbe was greatly taken with Havelok's appear- 
ance, so he received him very kindly, and asked him and 
his wife to feast with him at the castle. Havelok could 
not refuse his request, and he and Goldborough and 
Grim's sons entered the castle, and were welcomed with 
great ceremony by Ubbe and his wife, and a splendid 
banquet was set before them. 

When the feast was over, Ubbe, who was by this time 
very friendly towards his guests, determined that he must 
provide a good lodging-place for them for the night. So 
he sent them with a noble escort to the house of a certain 
Bernard Brown, who was a good and trustworthy knight, 
and who was very glad to entertain the strangers. 

Now when evening came, Bernard and his guests were 
seated at supper, when suddenly a great noise was heard 
outside the house and a voice clamoured at the door, 
crying — 

" Let us in, Bernard, or we shall kill thee." 

Hearing this, Bernard started to his feet, put on his 
coat of mail, and seizing an axe, went to the door, and 
told the thieves, for so they were, to go away, or they 
would soon find themselves cast into fetters. 

Nothing daunted, however, the band of robbers, who 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 49 

numbered over sixty, set to work to break open the door 
with a huge boulder. But when Havelok guessed what 
they were doing, he drew out the bar which bolted the 
door and threw it wide open, calling to those outside to 
come in and right with him. 

So the robbers rushed in, and a terrible fight began. 
First they tried attacking Havelok at close quarters with 
their swords, but when he had struck down seven of them 
with great blows from the iron bar of the door, they drew 
back somewhat, and began to throw spears and stones at 
him and to set their dogs upon him. Many of the missiles 
hit him, and he began to be covered with wounds ; but by 
this time Bernard and the three sons of Grim, Robert the 
Red, William Wendut, and Hugh Raven had come to the 
rescue, and before long the whole band of thieves had 
been slain. 

Now on the morrow rumours of the fight came to Ubbe, 
and he set out at once for Bernard Brown's house to learn 
for himself what had happened. 

Bernard soon told him the story, giving all the glory of 
the fight to Havelok, who, he said, was worth a thousand 
men, for he had slain almost all the thieves by himself. 

Ubbe could scarcely believe this, but the other knights 
who had been present at the fight bore witness that it was 
true, and the earl thereupon resolved to dub Havelok 
a knight, and to invite him and Goldborough to lodge with 
him at the castle, for now that he had shown himself so 
valiant a man, no honour was too great to pay him. 

So Havelok, who was lying ill from his many wounds, 
was brought before the earl, and a doctor was summoned 
to attend to him. Then he was carried to the castle, and 
Ubbe gave him a room to dwell in next to his own, where 
he might rest until he was quite strong again. 

Now on the first night that Havelok lay at the castle 

Ubbe awoke at about midnight and saw a great light 

coming from the next room. Going in to see what it was, 

he found that it came from out of Havelok's mouth, while 

4 



50 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

on his shoulder shone the bright cross that showed his 
royal birth. 

Then Ubbe summoned his knights to see the marvellous 
sight, and when they had gazed upon Havelok as he lay 
there surrounded by the light, they were all agreed that 
he must be Birkabeyn's son and heir. 

As they were rejoicing over the discovery, Havelok 
awoke, and Ubbe immediately fell on his knees and did 
him homage, promising to help him to become king of 
Denmark ; and Havelok was full of joy as he listened to 
him, for he knew that now it would be easy for him to win 
back his kingdom. 

On the morrow, therefore, Ubbe called all the people 
together, and having told them Havelok's story, he made 
them swear fealty to him as their rightful king. Ubbe 
himself was the first to take the oath, and after him the 
knights and constables and sheriffs, and all the poorer 
people too, vowed to be faithful to Havelok all their 
lives. 

After this Ubbe first made Havelok a knight, and then 
crowned him as king before all the people ; and when this 
was done there was much feasting and merriment, with 
games and minstrelsy, and every kind of sport such as 
the people loved. 

Grim's three sons also were not forgotten, for Ubbe 
made them all barons, and gave them lands and cattle, 
and a retinue of twenty knights each. 

But Havelok had still before him the task of avenging 
himself upon Godard and turning him off the throne, and 
as soon as the feasting was over, he called the knights to 
arms, and rode forth to meet his enemy, putting Robert 
the Red to ride at the head of his army. 

Now it so happened that Godard was out hunting that 
day, and presently Havelok's knights came up with him, 
and Robert called out to him, accusing him of having 
treacherously usurped the throne, and bidding him come 
quickly into the presence of the true king of Denmark. 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 51 

But Godard replied by striking Robert in the face, and 
this was the signal for a fierce fight to begin between his 
followers and Havelok's. Havelok's knights, however, 
soon gained the victory, and in a little while Godard was 
bound hand and foot, cast upon an old mare, and led 
before the newly crowned king. 

Then Havelok summoned Ubbe and the other earls 
and barons to a council, and they sat in judgment upon 
Godard, and condemned him to death for having murdered 
Havelok's two little sisters and having ordered Havelok 
himself to be drowned. 

So Godard was put to death, and Havelok ruled over 
all Denmark in peace. But now that he had regained 
his own kingdom he was resolved to win the throne of 
England for Goldborough and himself, and he soon set 
sail for Grimsby once more, taking with him Goldborough, 
Grim's sons, Ubbe, and a company of knights to fight 
for him. 

They had scarcely landed when the news of their 
arrival came to Earl Godrich, and he at once began to 
gather together an army, for he swore that both Havelok 
and Goldborough should suffer hanging. The place where 
the knights were to meet was Lincoln, and the day 
appointed was March 17th. 

Now when they were all assembled, Godrich told them 
that Havelok had come to attack them and their wives 
and children, and urged them to go forth to meet him 
and drive him out of the land. 

" Let us hasten forth and put them to flight, and I 
myself will lead the army and be the first to draw sword 
against the foe," he cried. 

At this the earls and knights, especially two, named 
Earl Gunter and Earl Reyner of Chester, cried out in 
assent, and began to arm themselves as quickly as they 
could ; and when they were fully equipped they rode forth 
out of Lincoln till they came nigh to Grimsby, where 
Havelok's army was drawn up in readiness for the fight. 



52 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

The first blow in the battle was struck by Havelok 
himself, who cut down the foremost knight of Godrich's 
army, and Robert the Red had soon slain a second 
warrior, while William Wendut disabled a third. Next 
Hugh Raven smote an earl to the ground, while Ubbe 
rode straight towards Earl Godrich, and a fierce fight 
began between them. 

It was the most marvellous fight of any that were 
fought that day ; for the whole day long the two earls 
struggled together, giving each other great blows that 
well-nigh shattered their weapons. Both were unhorsed 
early in the day, and for the rest of the time they fought 
on foot. But towards evening Godrich gave Ubbe a 
terrible wound in the side, and would have killed him had 
not Hugh Raven come to his rescue and carried him 
away into safety. 

Meanwhile the other knights had been fighting with 
great valour, and already a thousand of them lay dead ; 
and now Godrich came among them, since his fight with 
Ubbe was over, and attacked the Danes with the swift- 
ness and keenness of lightning, so that they fell before 
him like mown grass. 

But when Havelok saw how his followers were being 
destroyed, he rode in all haste to the spot where Godrich 
stood and cried to him — - 

" Godrich, what art thou doing that thou dost slay my 
knights ? Thou knowest full well that Athelwold did 
make thee swear a solemn oath to give up this kingdom 
to Goldborough when she had grown to womanhood. 
Perform now thine oath and give up the land to her, and 
I will forgive thee the injury thou hast done her, for I 
would fain have such a brave knight as thou art for my 
friend." 

But Godrich answered scornfully — 

" If thou dost not quickly flee, I will put out the eyes 
with which thou gazest at me, and will slay both thee and 
thy bride." 



THE STORY OF HAVELOK THE DANE 53 

And with these words he gripped his sword and struck 
at Havelok so fiercely that he clave his shield in two. 

Then Havelok drew out his sword in anger and struck 
his enemy to the ground ; but Godrich rose up again 
swiftly and wounded the Dane in the shoulder. But this 
was the last blow he ever struck, for Havelok now smote 
off his right hand, and soon had him bound with fetters 
of steel. He then sent him to Goldborough, bidding her 
protect him from injury until he had received judgment, 
since, for the honour of knighthood, no knight was ever 
put to shame till he had been condemned. 

After this Havelok called an assembly of the people, 
and told them that Goldborough was the rightful heir to 
the throne ; and when they had heard him Goldborough 
herself came before the assembly with an escort of six 
earls, and all the people fell on their knees and asked her 
pardon for having allowed Godrich to rule over them, 
when they all knew that she ought to have been their 
queen. Then they swore to serve both her and Havelok 
faithfully, and never again to take up arms against them. 

The next thing that had to be done was to pass judg- 
ment upon Godrich ; and, like Godard, he was condemned 
to death for his treachery and cruelty. 

But when Godrich was dead Havelok had leisure for 
pleasanter tasks. First of all he sought out Grim's two 
daughters, Gunild and Levive, who were still living quietly 
at Grimsby ; and he proposed that Gunild should marry 
the young Earl Reyner of Chester, for he wished to give 
Gunild happiness and honour and to make the earl his 
friend. 

So these two were married, and then Havelok thought 
of Bertram, the cook who had befriended him when he 
first went to Lincoln to earn his living. Him he made 
Earl of Cornwall in place of Godrich and gave him 
Levive as his wife, and they also were married and lived 
very happily together. 

After this Havelok rewarded his Danish men with lands 



54 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

and cattle ; and then, having settled all these matters, he 
rode to London, and there he was crowned king of 
England in the midst of great feasting and rejoicing. 

When the feast was over most of the Danes returned 
to their own land, and Havelok sent Ubbe to rule there 
for him. But he himself stayed in England and ruled 
over it with Goldborough for sixty years. Many children 
were born to them, and they lived together happily all 
their lives and were never apart, so great was their love 
for each other; and this is the end of the tale of Havelok 
and Goldborough. 

"Havelok the Dane" is a romance ivhich was written in the 
thirteenth cejitury\ and ivas probably founded on some old English 
legend comiected ivith the tow?i of Grimsby ', the ancient seal of ivhich 
shows Grim in the middle^ and Havelok and Goldborough on either 
side of him. 

X 

THE STORY OF KING HORN 

IN the west country there was a king called Murry. 
Godhild was his queen, and he had one son named 
Horn, who was so beautiful that in all the realm there was 
none like him. 

Now Horn had twelve comrades of high rank to play 
with him, and he loved two of them above all the rest. 
One was called Athulf and the other Fikenhild ; and 
Athulf was the best of his playfellows, but Fikenhild was 
the worst. 

One day, when Horn was fifteen years old, King Murry 
was riding by the seashore when, to his surprise, he found 
there fifteen ships filled with heathen men. Riding up to 
them, he asked what had brought them to his land, and 
one of the pagans answered — 

" We are come to slay thy people and thyself also, for 
thou shalt not go hence alive." 



THE STORY OF KING HORN 55 

At these words the king and two good knights who 
were with him got off their horses, and gripping their 
swords, smote together fiercely ; but they were all too few 
to fight against such numbers, and the heathens soon slew 
them and took possession of the land. They killed many 
of the people, pulled down the churches, and forced the 
inhabitants to forsake the Christian religion and become 
heathens. 

Of all women Godhild was now the most wretched. 
Weeping bitterly, she rose up from among her maidens 
and went out to a cave among some rocks ; and there she 
lived alone, worshipping God in secret and praying for 
her son Horn. 

Now the pagans would have slain Horn had it not been 
for his beauty. But one of their captains spoke, saying — 

" Horn, thou art brave and strong and tall, and thou wilt 
grow stronger yet in seven years. If w r e let thee go alive, 
and thy comrades also, thou wouldst slay us all. There- 
fore thou shalt go with them into a ship, and the ship will 
sink, and the sea will drown you all, and we shall not have 
to pay the penalty either for thy death or for thy 
father's." 

So the pagans took the children down to the shore and 
put them in a boat ; and the sea began to ebb, and Horn 
seized the oars and tried to row. But the boat drove on 
fast, and the boys were sore afraid, thinking it would sink. 
A whole day and night went by, and then at last Horn 
caught sight of land. Soon they had set foot on shore 
and were making their way inland. 

They had not gone far before they met with the king of 
that country, who was called Aylmar. Greeting them 
with fair words, he asked whence they came. Then Horn 
made answer — 

" We come from Suddene, and are sprung from good 
Christian people and from right noble families. But heathen 
men came to our land and slew our people, and they put 
us into a ship without sail or rudder, and we drifted to this 



56 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

land. Now couldst thou slay us; but, if thou wilt, help 
us, lest we perish." 

So Horn and his comrades rode home with King Aylmar, 
and when they came to the palace the king called his 
steward Athelbrus and said — 

" Steward, take now my foundling, and teach him thy 
crafts of wood and river. Teach him also to ride and to 
play the harp, to carve for me and serve the wine-cup. 
Give him whatsoever knowledge thou hast thyself." 

So Horn dwelt at the palace and was taught by Athel- 
brus ; and all men, both in the court and out, loved him. 

Now the king's daughter Rymenhild loved Horn more 
than did any one ; but she feared to speak to him either at 
table or at any time, and this made her very sorrowful. 
At last she sent a message to Athelbrus bidding him come 
to her bower, bringing Horn with him. But Athelbrus 
feared the king's anger, and in great distress he went to 
Athulf, Horn's comrade, and said — 

" Athulf, thou must go with me secretly in Horn's like- 
ness to Rymenhild's chamber. Thou must deceive her ; 
for if Horn went, I fear no good would come of it." 

So these two went to the bower; and Rymenhild, thinking 
that Athulf was Horn, embraced him and said — 

" Horn, I have loved thee long. Plight me now thy 
troth that thou shalt be my lord and I thy wife." 

But Athulf answered — 

" Cease thy speech, for I am not Horn ; and though he 
Were dead, or a thousand miles away, I would not be false 
to him." 

At these words Rymenhild turned to Athelbrus and 
bitterly reproached him. But he, falling upon the ground, 
made answer — 

" Lady my own, listen and I will tell thee why I brought 
not Horn to thee. The good King Aylmar gave him into 
my keeping, and I fear his anger if ye two love each other. 
But forgive me for causing thee sorrow, and I will seek 
Horn for thee, come what may." 



THE STORY OF KING HORN 57 

Then Rymenhild rejoiced, and said — 

" Go now and send him to me in the guise of a squire 
when the king arises from table at noon. He shall stay 
with me till evening and I care not what comes of it." 

So Athelbrus returned to the hall, where he found Horn 
serving wine before the king ; and he told him to go 
secretly to Rymenhild, but to be careful to speak humbly 
of himself. 

Now when Horn came into Rymenhild's presence all 
the bower was lit up by his beauty, and he fell on his 
knees to greet her, saying — 

" Sweet is the sight of thee, bright Rymenhild, as thou 
sittest with thy six maidens. The king's steward has sent 
me hither to thee. Speak now, that I may know thy will." 

Then Rymenhild rose up, and taking him by the hand, 
led him to a seat and gave him wine to drink. And she 
kissed him and said — 

" Horn, take pity upon me and plight me thy troth." 

But Horn answered — 

" Heaven send thee happiness, whosoever is thy husband. 
But I am too low-born for thee. I am a poor man's son, 
and it were no fair wedding between a thrall and a king's 
daughter." 

Rymenhild was so sad at these words that she fell down 
in a swoon. But Horn raised her up, saying — 

11 Dear lady-love, take comfort. Help me to become a 
knight, and then I shall be able to do what thou askest." 

So Rymenhild sent gifts to Athelbrus the steward, 
praying him to beg the king to make Horn a knight ; 
and Athelbrus went gladly to Aylmar and won his consent. 
On the morrow, therefore, Horn went before the king, and 
Aylmar dubbed him a knight, and gave him a sword and 
spurs and a white steed. And afterwards Horn knighted 
his twelve comrades also ; and they held a feast and made 
merry together. 

Rymenhild, however, was not at the feast. Weary of 
waiting, she sent a message to Horn, and he went at once 



58 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

to her bower, taking Athulf with him. First she welcomed 
them as befitted their knighthood, and then she asked 
Horn to fulfil his promise and make her his wife. 

But Horn replied that he must first prove his knight- 
hood with deeds of prowess ; and Rymenhild consented to 
this, and gave him a ring which was of such merit that if 
he looked upon it and thought of her, he need fear naught 
in battle. 

Now on the morrow the king rode forth to hunt ; but 
Horn stayed behind and went to see his lady-love. The 
wicked Fikenhild, however, was watching him ; and pre- 
sently he rode after the king and overtook him. 

" Aylmar," he said, " take warning. I heard Horn say 
that he will slay thee and take Rymenhild for his wife. 
He is even now with her in her bower. Go thou thither 
at once and drive him out of thy land before he does thee 
harm." 

At this the king turned home again with a gloomy 
countenance, and finding Horn with Rymenhild as Fiken- 
hild had said, he cursed him with hard words, and ordered 
him out of the country. 

Then with much sorrow Horn bade good-bye to his lady- 
love and to Athulf, bidding him watch over Rymenhild ; 
and going down to the sea, he took ship and sailed away 
to another country. 

There he landed and rode inland till he met the two 
sons of the king of that realm, Harild and Berild ; and 
Berild asked him his name and business. 

To this Horn replied — 

" I am called Cuthbert ; and I am come from afar to 
seek my fortune." 

Then Berild welcomed him and took him to the king 
his father, who received him kindly also ; and Horn took 
up his abode at the court. 

Christmas-time came and the king and his knights sat at 
the feast together. Suddenly there came into the hall a 
heathen giant, bearing a message from a band of pagans 



THE STORY OF KING HORN 59 

that one of their number would fight on the morrow 
single-handed against three knights for the possession 
of the kingdom. At this the king was sore afraid ; never- 
theless he made answer that Horn (or Cuthbert, as he 
was now called), Berild, and Harild should take up the 
challenge. 

But Cuthbert cried — 

".Sir King, it is not right for three to fight against one. 
I will myself do battle alone against this pagan." 

So on the morrow Cuthbert girt himself in his armour 
and went forth to the fight. The giant was awaiting him, 
and soon the blows were falling thick and fast. But as he 
fought Cuthbert's blood grew hot within him, for he recog- 
nized in his enemy the very man who had slain his father 
and driven him out of the land. Gripping his sword more 
tightly, he looked at his ring and thought of Rymenhild. 
Then with a terrific blow he smote the giant through the 
heart. 

Seeing the defeat of their champion, the other pagans 
fled to their ships. But before they could reach them 
Cuthbert and his companions had overtaken them and 
slain them ; and thus was King Murry avenged. 

Now of all the king's knights none were slain save only 
his two sons, Harild and Berild ; and for them his tears 
fell fast. But when they had been buried, he came into 
the hall of the palace among all his followers and said — 

" Cuthbert, my heirs are slain, and thou art a strong and 
worthy knight. Thou shalt govern my realm and take 
Reynild my daughter for thy wife." 

But Cuthbert answered — 

" Sir King, I should do wrong to accept this. I will 
serve thee many years ere thou give me my reward." 

So Cuthbert dwelt there for a long time serving the 
king. 

Meanwhile Rymenhild's hand was being sought by 
King Mody of Rennes. The day of the wedding drew 
near, but she had heard nothing from Horn. So she asked 



60 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Athulf to write a letter for her, and sent a messenger with 
it into every land to seek him out. 

For a long time Horn heard naught of it ; but one day 
as he was riding to shoot in the woods he met the 
messenger ; and when he had read the letter, he sent back 
word to Rymenhild that he would be with her the next 
Sunday morning. But alas ! on his way back the messen- 
ger was drowned, and no news of Horn came to his lady. 

In the meantime Horn went to the king and told him 
all his story, and besought him to help him to win 
Rymenhild, promising to give him Athulf as a husband 
for his own daughter Reynild. Then the king sent 
messengers to Ireland and summoned a goodly band of 
knights ; and Horn set sail for Westerness, as Aylmar's 
kingdom was called, and arrived on the very day of 
Rymenhild's wedding. 

Leaving his comrades hidden in a wood, he went on 
alone with a heavy heart ; and presently he met with a 
palmer, whom he begged to change clothes with him. 
Then, disguised with cloak and staff and scrip, he went 
and knocked at the gate of the castle where the wedding 
was taking place. Forcing his way into the hall, he sat 
down among the beggars at the table and looked about 
him. Rymenhild sat like one distracted, weeping con- 
tinuously ; but Athulf was nowhere to be seen, for he was 
in the castle-tower looking out to see if Horn were coming. 

After a time Rymenhild arose to pour out wine and ale 
for the knights and squires, and when they had all drunk, 
Horn said — 

" Gentle queen, we beggars also are thirsty. Wilt thou 
give us to drink ? " 

So Rymenhild set down the white drinking-horn, and 
filling a great brown bowl with ale, took it to Horn. But 
he passed it to his neighbour, saying — 

" Dear queen, I will drink only out of a white cup, and do 
thou drink to me, and drink to Horn, for I am thy own." 

Then Rymenhild looked at him and her heart grew cold. 



THE STORY OF KING HORN 6l 

She did not recognize him, but she wondered greatly why 
he bade her drink to Horn. Filling her cup, she drank to 
the supposed pilgrim, and asked him if he had ever seen 
her lover ; and for answer Horn threw the ring that she 
had given him into the bottom of the cup. 

Alone in her bower with her maidens, Rymenhild ex- 
amined the ring, and found that it was indeed the one 
that she had given to Horn, and the fear came to her that 
he was dead. So she sent a damsel to fetch the palmer, 
and begged him to tell her where he got the ring. 

" I met with Horn on a ship," was the reply, " and he 
fell sick and died ; but first he prayed me to take this ring 
to Rymenhild." 

At this Rymenhild fell down upon the bed, and seizing 
a knife which she had hidden there in order to slay herself 
and King Mody that night if Horn did not come, she put 
it to her heart. But Horn stayed her hand, crying — 

" Dear and sweet queen, I am thy own Horn. Dost thou 
not know me?" and at that they fell into each other's arms 
and kissed each other joyfully. 

Soon, however, Horn rose up, and casting off his disguise, 
rode off to fetch his knights, who were hidden in the wood. 
Rymenhild meanwhile went to tell Athulf the good news ; 
and he, riding after Horn, overtook him, and they rejoiced 
together. Then Horn summoned his knights, and they 
entered the castle, and slew all that were therein save 
King Aylmar and Horn's twelve comrades, and these 
swore an oath never to betray him though he should lie at 
death's door. But he gave no thought to Fikenhild's false 
tongue. 

And now at last the bells were rung for Horn and 
Rymenhild's wedding, and a feast was made, and there 
were great rejoicings. But when the feast was ended. Horn 
told King Aylmar that he must ride forth yet once more 
and win back his heritage, so that Rymenhild might be a 
king's wife. 

So once again Horn set sail, taking Athulf and the 



62 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Irish knights with him ; and they reached Suddene in 
five days. There it was not long before Horn had sub- 
dued the heathen, converting many of them, even, to the 
Christian faith. He sought out his mother also in her rocky 
dwelling-place and brought her to his castle with great joy. 
Churches were built, the bells were rung, and everything 
went on merrily in preparation for Rymenhild's home- 
coming. 

Meanwhile, however, it was going ill with Rymenhild ; 
for the wicked Fikenhild began to woo her, as though 
Horn were dead, and the king durst not gainsay him, but 
had fixed a day for the wedding. 

But one night Horn dreamt that his lady-love was in a 
sinking boat ; and when she tried to reach the land, 
Fikenhild thrust her back with the hilt of his sword. 

This warned him of Rymenhild's danger, and he set off 
immediately with Athulf to her rescue. 

Now Fikenhild had just taken Rymenhild home to a new 
castle that he had built on an island in the sea, when Horn 
came sailing by in his ship. He would have sailed on 
farther, but Arnoldin, Athulf's cousin, was on the watch 
for him and told him all that had happened. Then Horn 
took his harp and went with some of his comrades to the 
castle, and sang and played outside the gate. 

Hearing the music, Rymenhild sent to have the singers 
admitted to the castle-hall. So Horn went in and sang a 
song before her, which so moved her that she fell down in 
a swoon. Grieving to see her thus, Horn took courage, 
and without more ado he went up to the head of the 
table, drew his sword, and fell upon Fikenhild. The fight 
was short, and soon the traitor lay dead, and all his 
followers with him. 

Now after this Horn's troubles were ended and he lived 
in peace ; but he did not forget his faithful friends. To 
reward Arnoldin, he made him king instead of Aylmar ; 
and to Athelbrus, the steward, he gave King Mody's 
realm. Mindful of his promise, also, he sought out Rey- 



THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 63 

nild to be the wife of his dear comrade Athulf. As for 
Rymenhild, he took her back to his own kingdom of 
Suddene, and there he made her his queen, and they were 
beloved by all their people till the end of their days. 



The story of" King Horn" like that of Havel ok, is a thirteenth- 
century romance, based o?i some old legend of the south-zvestem part 
of Efigland. 

XI 

THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 

I. HOW GUY WON THE HAND OF FELICE THE 
BEAUTIFUL 

THERE was once an Earl of Warwick who had 
a most lovely daughter named Felice the Beautiful. 
So fair was she that many a duke and many an earl had 
sought her hand in marriage, but all in vain, for she would 
have none of them. 

Now the earl had a steward who owned the town of 
Wallingford and the country round about it ; and his son 
Guy was the earl's cup-bearer. Guy was so courteous and 
generous that he was loved and honoured by all men, and 
the earl also showed him great favour and gave him 
lodging among the knights, although he was only a 
squire. 

But he had not been long in the earl's household before 
he fell deeply in love with the beautiful Felice. At first 
she would have nothing to say to him; but at last she 
promised that she would give him her love and wed him 
if he could become a knight and prove his knighthood by 
valiant deeds. 

Guy rejoiced greatly when he heard this, and he soon 
went to the earl and begged him to dub him a knight ; 
and the earl at once promised that he would do so. 

So Guy went forth and chose out twenty young squires 
to be his fellows. They clad themselves in kirtles of 



64 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

white silk, with mantles of purple, and put garlands of 
precious stones and pearls upon their heads ; and going 
into a chapel, they all knelt before the altar till past mid- 
night, each holding his sword by the point, with a pair of 
newly gilded spurs upon the hilt, for such was the custom 
in those days for those who were about to be knighted. 

When their vigil was over the earl came to the chapel. 
First he took Guy's spurs off his sword-hilt and placed 
them on his feet ; then he girded him with his sword, and 
when this was done, struck him on the neck with his own 
sword, bidding him become a good knight. Afterwards, 
all the other twenty squires were knighted too, and a 
festival was held to celebrate the occasion. 

Now when the feast was over Guy went to Felice and 
said — 

" Dear lady, for thy sake I have received the order of 
knighthood. Now therefore fulfil thy promise to me." 

But Felice answered — 

"Nay, of what art thou thinking? Thou must prove 
thy valour as a knight before I can be thy wife." 

So Guy bade her farewell, and went to ask leave of the 
earl to go into foreign lands to perform great deeds of 
arms. Having won the earl's consent, he went to say 
good-bye to his father who, however, tried to persuade him 
to stay at home. But at last, finding that Guy was fully 
resolved to go, he gave him money, and three trusty 
knights, named Harrawde, Toralde, and Urry, to be his 
companions on his travels ; and thus Guy set forth to 
prove his knighthood. 

The four knights sailed over the sea to France, and 
when they had landed, rode on till they came to a city in 
Normandy, where a great tournament was about to be held 
in honour of the daughter of the emperor of Germany. 
The winner of the tournament was to be rewarded by 
a white falcon, three snow-white steeds, and two fair 
greyhounds. 

As soon as he heard of this Guy resolved to take part 



THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 65 

in the tournament, and on the morrow he and his three 
companions took their places among the other knights 
who were preparing to fight. 

Now the first knight to ride out into the lists was 
Gayere, the emperor's own son. Guy at once rode to meet 
him, and at the very first onslaught Gayere's spear was 
broken in two against Guy's shield, and then Guy smote 
him with such might that he threw him to the ground. 

After this Guy fought against many other knights, and 
overthrew them all, amongst them Duke Otoun of Pavia, 
and his nephew Duke Raynere, who sought to avenge his 
uncle's fall. But Guy when he had thrown him also, 
returned his horse to him full courteously ; and the duke, 
admiring his courage and courtesy, bade him tell them all 
his name and country. So Guy made known his name, 
and then the fight was begun anew. 

Now at that tournament great valour was shown on 
every hand, and many a knight gave proof of his hardi- 
hood. Harrawde and Toralde and Urry were among the 
most valiant ; but none won so much honour as did Guy, 
and on the third day he was declared by all to have won 
the prize. 

So a squire was sent to him at his lodging with the 
falcon, the three steeds, and the greyhounds ; and Guy 
summoned two servants, and sent them over to England 
with his prize, bidding them take it to the Earl of War- 
wick and present it to him. 

After this Guy set forth again on his travels, and won 
fame for himself at other tournaments and in other 
countries, till at last Harrawde advised him to return 
home. 

So he set forth for England once more, and on his 
arrival was welcomed gladly by all his friends. But when 
he went to Felice and asked her to marry him, as he had 
now proved his valour by deeds of arms, she made answer 
that she could not wed him till he had been declared the 
best and strongest knight in all the world. 
5 



66 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Guy was in despair when he heard this, for he had no 
hope that he could ever become the best knight in the 
world. Nevertheless, he resolved to set forth in search of 
fresh adventures, and although both the earl and his 
father begged him not to go, he was soon crossing the 
seas once more, accompanied by the same three trusty 
knights who had been with him before. 

For many a long day Guy travelled about Europe, 
doing great deeds in Brittany and Spain, Germany and 
Lombardy, and winning honour wherever he went. 

At last it fell out that he was wounded at a tournament 
in a town near the place where Duke Otoun of Pavia 
lived ; and the duke thought that the opportunity had 
now come for him to avenge himself on Guy, for ever 
since Guy had overthrown him in the tournament he had 
hated him. 

But Otoun was by nature a traitor, and instead of 
meeting Guy in open fight, he laid an ambush for him. 
He sent a band of knights to hide at a spot on the 
road which Guy was following, and bade them take Guy 
himself prisoner and slay his followers. 

So the knights rode off and took up their position, and 
presently Guy came along riding upon an ambling mule, 
because his wound was so sore that he could not sit his 
war-horse. Before he reached the ambush, however, he 
heard the neigh of a horse and caught a glimpse of 
shining helmets ; and suspecting treachery, he exchanged 
his mule for a steed, armed himself, and bade his three 
comrades make ready to fight. Harrawde, however, 
begged him to save himself by riding away, while he and 
Toralde and Urry went forward to the fight ; but Guy 
refused to do this and rode on boldly in spite of his 
wound. 

In a few moments the two parties were face to face and 
the fight began, and in a short time Guy and his friends 
had each struck down a foe. But they could not hold 
their advantage for long, and soon both Toralde and Urry 



THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 67 

lay dead. Harrawde avenged them both, but at last he 
too was wounded, and sank down to the ground as though 
lifeless. 

Now when Guy saw that he had lost all his dear friends 
he was mad with rage and fought with renewed strength. 
A violent combat took place between him and the last of 
the duke's knights, but at length Guy was victorious, and 
his enemy fled away dangerously wounded, and went to 
tell Otoun what had happened. 

Meanwhile Guy was left alone with his dead friends, and 
very great was his grief for them. He mourned for them 
a long time, and then he sought out a hermit who lived in 
the neighbourhood, and begged him to bury Toralde and 
Urry ; but because he had loved Harrawde best of all, he 
wished to pay him special honour, and so he took his 
body with him to the nearest abbey, and begged the abbot 
to give it a burial such as befitted a knight. To this the 
abbot consented, so Guy bade him farewell and rode forth 
again on his travels. 

By this time Guy's name had begun to be famous 
throughout Europe, and wherever he went he was well 
received and given praise and honour. 

Now one day it befell that as he was out hunting he 
met with a palmer ; and having fallen into a conversation 
with him, he questioned him as to whence he came; and 
the palmer told him that he came from Lombardy, where 
he had lost his master through the treachery of Duke 
Otoun of Pavia. His master's name, he said, was Guy of 
Warwick, and his own was Harrawde. 

At this Guy was overjoyed, but he was greatly amazed 
to find that Harrawde was still alive. So when they had 
embraced and rejoiced together, each told the other his 
story; and Guy learnt how one of the monks at the abbey 
had discovered that Harrawde was not quite dead when 
Guy had brought him thither, and had healed him of his 
wound, and how he had been wandering about ever since 
seeking for Guy. 



68 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

After this the two friends travelled on together, doing 
valiant deeds wherever they went ; and at last Guy thought 
the time had come when he should return to England 
to see if Felice would consent to marry him. 

So he set sail with Harrawde for his own country, and 
as it fell out, arrived just in time to deliver the people of 
Winchester from a terrible dragon, which he slew after a 
hard fight. 

Afterwards he rode on his way northward till he came 
to his own town of Wallingford. There he found that his 
father was dead and that he was his sole heir. However, 
he did not keep his inheritance for himself, but gave it all 
to Harrawde as a reward to him for his loyalty and many 
services. 

Guy next went to Warwick, where he was received with 
great honour, and now at last Felice confessed to him that 
she loved him and was willing to become his wife. The 
earl gladly gave his consent to the marriage, which was 
soon afterwards celebrated with great ceremony and re- 
joicing. Dukes, earls, and knights came from afar to be 
present at it, and the festivities lasted for a whole fortnight ; 
but no one was so joyous as was Guy, for at length he had 
won for himself the happiness for which he had laboured 
so long. 

XII 

THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 

II. HOW GUY WENT ON A PILGRIMAGE 

GUY and Felice lived very happily for a short time 
after their marriage, but they did not remain to- 
gether for very long, for the reason that you shall hear. 

One summer's day Guy had been out hunting, and had 
had good sport and taken plenty of venison ; and that 
same evening, when he was come home, he went up into 
a tower, and stood looking out over all the fair country 



THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 69 

that lay beneath him. It was a clear, starlit night, and 
the beauty of it made Guy very thoughtful. He thought 
of the great happiness that had been given to him, and 
of the gay life that he was leading ; and then he remem- 
bered all the many deeds of violence that he had done, 
how he had killed people and burnt abbeys and stormed 
cities, and all for the sake of winning Felice, and thus 
procuring his own happiness, while he had never sought 
to do good or to live a holy life. 

So he determined that from thenceforth he would change 
his life, and do penance for all that he had done wrong 
in the past, and he would begin his life of penance by 
going on a pilgrimage. 

While he was pondering thus, Felice came to him, and 
finding him deep in thought, asked him to tell her his 
thoughts, and Guy thereupon made known to her what 
he had resolved. 

Felice was full of grief at what he told her, and begged 
him, instead of going away, to build churches and do good 
deeds in his own country ; but Guy could not be shaken 
from his purpose, though he did all he could to comfort 
her, and promised to come back again to her when he 
had performed his penance. He begged her not to grieve 
for him, nor to let men see that she was sorrowful, but 
to give fair greeting from him to her father and to Har- 
rawde and his other knights, and to bear herself cheerfully 
before them all. 

So on the morrow Guy clad himself as a pilgrim and 
made himself ready for his journey. Then he bade fare- 
well to Felice, who gave him a ring as a keepsake, and 
set forth, alone and heavy of heart, turning his steps 
towards Jerusalem and the Holy Land. 

That night Felice could not sleep, and so terrible was 
her grief that she would have slain herself, but that she 
feared that if she did so it would be thought that Guy 
had killed her before he went away. But she was quite 
unable to hide her sorrow as Guy had bade her, and on 



70 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

the morrow she went at once to her father and told him 
what had happened. 

The earl, however, bade her not to mourn, for he felt 
sure that Guy had only left her to prove her love for him, 
and he at once began to search for him throughout the 
city. But it was all in vain, for he could learn nothing 
of him ; so he sent his men to Guy's followers and told 
them how their master had disappeared. 

When Harrawde heard that his lord had gone away he 
mourned greatly, and going to the earl, he begged him 
to send messengers in quest of Guy all over England ; 
and when this search too brought no result, he sent a 
knight and a squire over the seas into Europe to continue 
the search, and went himself also in the dress of a palmer, 
meaning to go to every land and city where he had been 
with Guy before in the hope of finding him in one of 
them. But though he travelled all over Europe he could 
hear no tidings of his lord, and at last he was obliged 
to return to England alone, and give the sad news to the 
earl and all the rest of Guy's friends, who mourned for 
him very sorrowfully. 

Meanwhile Guy had been to Jerusalem and to many 
other holy places, and all the while he wore his pilgrim's 
dress and told no man his name, so that it was not to be 
wondered at that Harrawde could hear no news of him 
from any one. 

Guy met with several adventures on this second journey 
through Europe, and more than once he performed great 
feats of arms. But this time he did not fight to win 
honour and fame for himself, but only to deliver the 
wrong and the oppressed. Once he fought against a 
terrible giant named Ameraunt, and thus set free an earl 
and his two sons from prison, and also delivered a king 
from death at the hands of one of his enemies, whose son 
the king's own son had slain by misadventure. 

Another time he fought on behalf of a poor earl who 
had had all his lands taken from him, and had been 



THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 71 

imprisoned and cruelly oppressed by the steward of the 
emperor of the country in which he lived. Guy won his 
lands back for him and restored him to the emperor's 
favour, so that he was made steward in place of the 
wicked man who had treated him so unfairly. 

But in neither of these adventures did Guy seek to win 
glory for himself, nor would he reveal his name save under 
promise of secrecy to the earls for whom he had fought, 
nor did he take any reward for his services to them, though 
they offered him lands and riches, and begged him to stay 
with them. Instead, when his fight on their behalf was 
over, he resumed his pilgrim's habit and went on his way, 
poor and unhonoured. 

At length he returned to England once more, and there 
he heard that the king, who was named Athelstan, was at 
Winchester, and had assembled there a great company of 
people, bishops and abbots and knights and earls, and had 
appointed three days for fasting and for prayer that a 
champion might be sent to them to fight against a certain 
mighty giant named Collebrande. 

This giant was an African who had been brought to 
England by the king of Denmark. The Danish king 
had been burning towns and destroying churches in 
England for some time, and now he threatened Athelstan 
that he must either yield up the country and become a 
Danish liegeman, or he must find a knight who would 
fight against Collebrande. 

Athelstan had so far been unable to find a champion, 
and his one wish was that he had Guy of Warwick with 
him to do battle against the giant. But as no champion 
could be found in England, the Duke of Kent at last 
advised the king to send into other lands in search of one, 
and this he resolved to do. 

That night, however, the king had a marvellous dream. He 
thought that an angel came to him and comforted him, and 
bade him go at daybreak to the north gate of the city, where 
he would meet a pilgrim who would undertake the battle. 



72 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

On the morrow, therefore, the king arose blithely at 
daybreak and rode out to the north gate of the city, and 
there in good sooth he found the pilgrim, who readily 
agreed to be his champion. 

Now this pilgrim was none other than Guy, who, when 
he heard of the distress that Athelstan was in, had at 
once set forth for Winchester to offer his services to 
him. 

Athelstan now sent word to the Danish king that he 
had found a champion, and the day and place of the 
combat were appointed. Meanwhile, however, he wished 
to arm Guy fitly for the fray, and he bade his armourers 
search out some suitable armour ; but none could be found 
that would fit him. So Guy himself suggested that they 
should send to Felice, and borrow her husband's armour 
for him ; and Felice sent it gladly. It was in good con- 
dition, moreover, for she had kept it carefully and not 
allowed it to get rusty or injured. But though Guy sent 
for his own armour in this way, he told no man his name, 
and none guessed who he was. 

Now when the day of combat came and Guy rode out 
to meet his enemy, for the first time in his life he felt 
afraid. Nevertheless he entered upon the fight bravely, 
and though more than once ere it was ended the giant 
gained the advantage over him, he never once lost courage, 
and when at last he had gained the victory, the Danes 
were so afraid of his strength and valour that they retreated 
hastily to their ships, and sailed away at once to their own 
country. 

Then there was great rejoicing among the English, and 
Guy was led into Winchester in a solemn procession, and 
great thanksgivings were offered up. The king, moreover, 
offered Guy all manner of riches as a reward for what he had 
done, but he refused them all. Athelstan then begged him 
to reveal his name, but he replied that he would only do 
so if the king would go with him alone and secretly to a 
place outside the town, where no one could possibly over- 



THE STORY OF GUY OF WARWICK 73 

hear them, and would promise, moreover, not to tell his 
name to any other person. 

So Athelstan promised unwillingly, and rode out of 
Winchester with Guy ; and then he learnt to his great 
astonishment that his champion was none other than Guy 
of Warwick, whom he had supposed to be dead. He at 
once begged Guy to remain with him, and offered to give 
him half his kingdom if he would do so. But Guy again 
refused to take any reward, and having bade the king 
farewell, rode away, while Athelstan returned to Win- 
chester, guarding his secret with absolute loyalty, but with 
much sorrow in his heart, for he would fain have kept Guy 
with him. 

And now you must hear how Felice had fared during 
all this long time. After her first grief at losing Guy was 
over, she had taken what comfort she could in caring for 
the poor and in building churches and being very charitable. 
Among other deeds of charity, she made it her habit to 
feed twelve poor men every day at her own table, giving 
them the same meat and drink as that which she had 
herself; and this she did as a special act in memory of 
Guy. 

Now one day as she sat at meat, with the knights who 
were in her service beside her, Guy came into the hall in his 
pilgrim's garb, and took his place among the poor men as 
they were fetched to sit at her table. And it befell that 
all the knights took notice of him ; but when Felice saw 
him, though she did not recognize him, she fell to thinking 
of Guy. 

So she bade a squire see that the pilgrim received special 
attention, and sent a message to him also, inviting him 
to return every day to take meat with her, and asking 
him to come and speak with her as soon as the meal was 
over. 

But when the tables were cleared Guy arose at once, 
and instead of going to speak to Felice, took his way out 
of the town, for he was resolved that the time had not yet 



74 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

come when his life of penance might end, and when he 
might have the great happiness of being with Felice again. 

Leaving his native town of Wallingford he journeyed 
to a place in the neighbourhood of Warwick where there 
had once dwelt a holy hermit, who, however, was now 
dead. So Guy took up his abode in the hermitage and 
began to live a holy life there, and though Felice sought 
for him everywhere, she could not find him. 

But not long after this Guy fell ill, and it was revealed 
to him in a dream that he would die in a week's time. 
So when the seventh day came, he found a messenger to 
carry to Felice the ring that she had given him at parting, • 
so that she might know that he had come back. 

The messenger took the ring to Felice, and as soon as 
she saw it she knew that it was Guy's ring and begged 
to be given news of him. So the man told her how 
Guy had been living in the forest among the wild beasts, 
eating herbs and roots and leading a life of prayer ; and 
how he now lay at the point of death. 

Then Felice mounted hastily upon a palfrey and rode 
forth to the hermitage with a goodly escort of lords and 
knights ; and partly was she full of sorrow because her 
lord lay dying, and partly was she glad because she would 
see him again. 

When they came to the hermitage Felice got down 
from her horse and entered the cell ; and Guy opened his 
eyes and raised his hands towards her, as though asking 
for her pardon for the sorrow he had caused her, but not 
one word was he able to speak. Then she bent down and 
kissed him ; and very soon afterwards he died peacefully. 

Now after he was dead a strange wonder came to pass ; 
for from his body there came forth a very sweet smell, as 
though of strange spices; and sick persons were cured of 
their diseases when they smelt it. It lasted until the day 
of the burial, which took place in the hermitage, for no 
man was able to remove the body from the cell, though 
thirty knights tried to do so. 



THE TALE OF GAMELYN 75 

When the body had been laid in the ground the lords 
and knights took their departure ; but Felice remained 
behind in the hermitage, for she was resolved that she 
would never go thence again. And now she no longer 
mourned and wept, but betook herself to a holy life of 
prayer as Guy had done ; and in forty days she died also, 
and was buried by his side. So thus ends the tale of Guy 
and Felice the Beautiful. 



" Guy of Warwick " is another romance, written in the first 
half of the fourteenth century. 

XIII 

THE TALE OF GAMELYN 

LISTEN and hearken well, and ye shall hear of a 
j doughty knight whose name was Sir John of 
Boundys. He had three sons, of whom the eldest was 
a wicked fellow who deserved his father's curse ; but the 
others loved their father and held him in awe. 

Now the good knight lived a long life, but at last he 
lay sick upon his death-bed. Then he sent word by 
letters to certain wise knights in the country round, and 
bade them come quickly to help him to divide his lands 
among his three sons ; and when they stood by his bed- 
side he said — 

" Lords, I tell ye that the hour of my death is come. 
If ye love me, therefore, go and divide my lands among 
my three sons. And, sirs, forget not Gamelyn, my 
youngest, but take heed that his share is as great as his 
brothers'." 

So the knights left Sir John and held a council for the 
division of the land. But they divided it only into two 
portions, for they said that the elder brothers could give 
land to Gamelyn when it seemed good to them. Then 
they returned to Sir John and told him what they had 
done. 



76 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

But the knight was ill-pleased, and said — 

" By Saint Martin, though ye have done this, the land 
is still mine while I live, and ye shall now hear how it 
pleases me to divide it. John, my eldest son, shall have 
the five portions of land that I inherited from my father ; 
and my second son, Ote, shall have the five portions that 
I won with my good right hand ; and all the rest of my 
estate which I bought for myself, and the men who work 
thereon, and all my good steeds I leave to Gamelyn. And 
I beseech you, who know the law of the land, see to it 
that my bequests stand good." 

Thus did the knight apportion his lands, and soon 
afterwards he died. 

But when he was dead and in his grave, the eldest son 
beguiled Gamelyn, and took his lands and his followers 
for himself, and made Gamelyn a servant in his house. He 
let the lands and all the property go to ruin ; and though 
he clothed and fed Gamelyn, he did so but grudgingly. 

So Gamelyn dwelt in his brother's house, and as time 
went on he grew so strong that he was feared by young 
and old, and none durst anger him. 

One day as he stood in the courtyard he fell to think- 
ing of his lands that lay fallow, of the fair oaks that had 
fallen, of the deer and the horses that were stolen, and 
of his houses that were falling to pieces ; and the thought 
made him angry. 

Presently his brother came by and said — 

"Is our meat ready?" For Gamelyn had been forced 
to cook for him. 

" Thou shalt go bake for thyself," replied Gamelyn 
wrathfully, " for I will not be thy cook. By my faith, 
I have never before taken heed of all the harm that thou 
hast done me, but henceforth I shall take heed of it, and 
mayst thou be cursed for it." 

" Hold thy peace, vagabond," cried the elder brother, 
" and be thankful that thou hast meat and drink, for what 
hast thou to do with lands and followers ? " 



THE TALE OF GAMELYN 77 

" Cursed be he that calls me a vagabond ! " retorted 
Gamelyn. " I am as gently born as you are." 

Then John bade his men fetch staves and beat his 
brother ; but Gamelyn caught up a pestle that stood 
against the wall of the courtyard and drove them back. 
At this his brother fled away into a loft, and shutting 
the door fast, peered cautiously out of the window. 

Then Gamelyn looked up and cried — 

"Brother, come down, and I will teach thee a little 
game of sword and buckler." 

But John replied — 

" While the pestle is in thy hand I will not come near 
thee. Brother, I swear I will appease thee. Cast away 
the pestle, and be not angry any more." 

" I have good cause to be angry, seeing that thou didst 
wish thy men to break my bones," answered Gamelyn. 

So the brothers quarrelled, but at last John promised 
to restore all Gamelyn's property to him, and Gamelyn 
trusted in his false promises and made peace with him. 

Now there was to be a wrestling match in the neighbour- 
hood that day, and a fine ram and a ring were offered as 
the prize for whoever won the match ; and Gamelyn was 
eager to go to it, to prove his might. So he told his 
brother of it, and borrowed a steed, and rode away towards 
the place where the match was to be held. 

When he came to the spot, he found there a franklin, 
who was lamenting and w r ringing his hands because his 
two sons had been well-nigh slain by a champion in the 
wrestling match. Thereupon Gamelyn resolved to wrestle 
with the champion himself, and bidding the franklin hold 
his steed, he prepared himself for the fight, and then 
entered the wrestling ring, while all who were assembled 
to watch the match marvelled at his boldness. 

At first the champion tried many tricks of wrestling 
upon him, but Gamelyn was always prepared for them, 
and though he tried his best, he could not throw him. 
Then Gamelyn himself tried a trick, and threw his enemy 



78 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

so heavily to the ground that three of his ribs were 
broken. 

After this the champion would wrestle no more, nor 
would any other man come forward to try his strength 
against Gamelyn's. 

So Gamelyn won the ram and the ring, and rode home 
with them rejoicing to the castle, accompanied by a fair 
company of people who had been at the wrestling match. 

Now when his wicked brother saw him approaching he 
ordered the gate to be shut, and when Gamelyn shouted 
to the porter to undo it he refused. 

Then Gamelyn smote the wicket with his foot till the 
pin broke, and bursting into the courtyard in great wrath, 
he caught the porter by the neck and strangled him, and 
then threw his body down the well. 

Seeing this, all the other men in the courtyard drew 
back in terror, and Gamelyn threw open the gate to all 
the fair company that he had brought with him, and bade 
them enter and feast with him. 

For seven days and seven nights Gamelyn held his 
feast, and all the while his brother stayed up in a little 
turret in the castle, and saw him waste his goods, but 
durst not say anything. But early on the morning of the 
eighth day the guests bade farewell to Gamelyn and rode 
away, and then John came down from the upper room 
and said to his brother — 

" Who made thee so bold as to make such free use of 
my stores ? " 

But Gamelyn answered that John had already received 
payment for his stores, because he had had the use of his 
lands for sixteen years. 

Then John thought in his false heart to beguile his 
brother once more, and assuming a friendly manner, he 
promised to make him his heir. 

" But, Gamelyn," said he, " one thing I must tell thee. 
When thou didst throw my porter in the well, I swore in 
my wrath that thou shouldst be bound hand and foot for 



THE TALE OF GAMELYN 79 

it. Now therefore, I beseech thee, let me bind thee, that 
I may not be forsworn." 

So Gamelyn allowed himself to be bound hand and 
foot, and fettered also. But once he was bound, John left 
him without meat and drink, and told all those who came 
to the hall that he was mad. 

When two days and nights had passed, Gamelyn spoke 
to Adam the Spencer, who had charge of the provisions, 
and besought him to loose him from his bonds. So that 
night, when John was in bed, Adam freed Gamelyn, and 
took him to the larder, and gave him both meat and drink. 
Afterwards they agreed that Gamelyn should remain in 
his bonds in the hall till the following Sunday, when a 
number of guests were coming to feast at the castle, and 
that he should ask them to release him, so that if they 
consented, Adam should be free from blame. But if they 
refused, then Adam and Gamelyn, whose bonds and 
fetters should only be loosely fastened, so that he could 
slip out of them, should trust in their staves and fight. 

The Sunday came, and a goodly feast was set before 
the guests ; but Gamelyn was given nothing, and his 
brother declared that he was mad, and spoke all the evil 
of him that he could, so that when Gamelyn appealed to 
the guests to set him free, they answered him with hard 
words and curses. 

Then Adam appeared at the door of the hall with two 
good staves, and he gave the signal to Gamelyn, who cast 
off his fetters, seized a staff, and began to lay about him 
with a will, while Adam stood at the door, to catch all 
those who tried to escape, and punish them for their 
hard-heartedness. They did not draw blood from the 
guests, but bruised them and beat them till they were 
sore, and were obliged to go home in carts and wagons, 
instead of riding gaily on their own horses. 

All the while that this was going on John stood watch- 
ing with an evil countenance ; but when the last of the 
guests had fled Gamelyn approached him, struck him with 



80 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

his staff, and bound him with the fetters that he himself 
had worn, saying — 

" Sit there, brother, to cool thy blood as I did mine." 

Now the story of what Gamelyn and Adam had done 
soon came to the ears of the sheriff, who lived but five 
miles away, and he sent four-and-twenty young men to 
fetch them to him. 

When they came to the gate of the castle they found it 
shut, and the porter would not open to them, but went 
immediately to Gamelyn to warn him. So Gamelyn and 
Adam caught up their staves once more and went down 
to the wicket, and laid about them so fiercely that soon 
five men lay on the ground and the rest took to flight. 

But ere long the sheriff himself was seen approaching 
with a great company ; and this time Gamelyn and Adam 
thought that their only safety lay in flight. 

So they took refuge in the forest hard by, and when the 
sheriff came to the castle he found only John there bound 
fast in the fetters. 

Now as Gamelyn and Adam walked through the forest 
they came upon a company of seven score young men 
sitting at meat ; and the leader of the company sent seven 
of the men to fetch the two strangers to him, and bid 
them yield up the bows and arrows they were carrying. 
But Gamelyn refused, saying that he was willing to fight 
twelve of them at once ere he would do so ; and the young 
men, seeing what might was in his arm, led him before 
their master, who, they said, was crowned king of outlaws. 

The king welcomed them courteously and gave them 
meat and drink ; and when he had learnt Gamelyn's name 
and heard his story he made him master under himself 
over all the other outlaws. But ere three weeks had 
passed the king was summoned home, for pardon had 
been obtained for him, and Gamelyn was made king in 
his stead. 

Meanwhile his brother John had been made a sheriff 
and had offered a reward for Gamelyn's head. But some 



THE TALE OF GAMELYN 81 

of Gamelyn's men sought him out to warn him of this, and 
to tell him also that his followers were suffering ill-usage 
at his brother's hands. 

So Gamelyn determined to go boldly to the next assizes 
and see his brother. But alas ! his brother was still 
resolved to be avenged upon him, and when he appeared 
at the meeting-hall he was seized and cast into prison. 

Now Gamelyn's other brother, Sir Ote, was a good and 
courteous knight ; and when a messenger went to him 
with tidings of Gamelyn's evil plight, he saddled his horse 
and rode post haste to John's castle, and reproached him 
bitterly for imprisoning Gamelyn. John declared that he 
had broken the law and must remain in prison till he 
could be tried before a judge ; but at last Ote persuaded 
him to release Gamelyn on bail till the day of the trial came. 

When Gamelyn was released he begged Ote to let him 
return to the forest to see how his young men were faring, 
promising to come back in time for his trial. To this Ote 
gave his consent, and Gamelyn went back to the outlaws, 
and lived with them till the judgment day came. Then he 
summoned all the young men and rode at their head to 
the hall of justice. 

Now when he drew near the spot he sent forward Adam 
the Spencer to see what was happening; and Adam found 
that Sir Ote had been cast into fetters, falsely accused, 
and condemned to be hanged by a wicked judge who wished 
to please John. 

So Gamelyn rode into the hall at the head of his 
followers, and all those gathered therein were afraid when 
they saw him. Then he cried to the justice — 

" Now is thy power ended, and thou must arise ; thou 
hast given false judgments, and now I will sit in thy seat 
and deal justly." 

But the judge sat still and would not rise. Then 
Gamelyn struck him on the jaw and broke it, and after- 
wards dragged him from his seat and broke his arm ; and 
sitting down in the seat of justice himself, he placed 
6 



82 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Sir Ote beside him, and Adam at his feet, and caused the 
judge and his brother John to be cast into fetters and 
brought before him. The twelve jurymen also who had 
given a false verdict against Sir Ote were brought to be 
tried, and Gamelyn passed judgment upon them all, and 
they and the judge and Sir John were all hanged by the 
neck, and thus ended their wicked lives. 

But Sir Ote and Gamelyn and his followers went before 
the king of the land and made their peace with him ; and 
the king loved Sir Ote well and made him a judge, and 
Gamelyn he made chief justice of all the forest. 

Thus did Gamelyn win back his lands and his people, 
and avenge himself upon his enemies ; and Sir Ote made 
him his heir, and he wedded a good and fair wife, and 
lived happily till the end of his days. 



The tale of il Gamelyn " was found among the papers of the poet 
Chaucer, who had meant to rewrite it for one of his " Canterbury 
Tales T Who the real author was is not k?iown. 



XIV 

THE VISION OF WILLIAM CONCERNING THE 
FIELD FULL OF FOLK 

ONE summer season when the sun shone warmly I 
clad myself in rough clothes, as though I were a 
shepherd or a hermit, and went forth into the world to 
hear its wonders ; and on a May morning, when I was 
weary with wandering, I lay down out on the Malvern 
Hills, and fell asleep under a bank, beside a stream. 

Then I began to dream a marvellous dream, of which I 
will tell you. 

I dreamt that I was in a wilderness, though where it 
was I knew not ; and as I looked eastward toward the sun 
I beheld a tower in which dwelt Truth; westward I observed 
a deep dale, in which was a dungeon where lived Death 



THE VISION OF WILLIAM 83 

and many wicked spirits ; and between the tower and the 
valley was a fair field full of people. All manner of men 
were there, poor and rich, workers and wanderers. Some 
were working hard at the plough, others at planting and 
sowing ; and these were winning by their labours what 
wasteful men used up in gluttony. Others were trying to 
show off their fine clothes. Others, for the love of our 
Lord, lived a full strict life of prayer and penance, hoping 
to have a good end and to win heavenly bliss, like 
anchorites and hermits who stay in their cells, neither 
desirous of wandering about over the country nor of living 
a luxurious life. 

And some chose to do trade, and they seemed to 
prosper most. Others were minstrels who earned their 
living innocently by making merry music, not like those 
jesters and idle talkers who swear and make vile jests, and 
will not use their wits to do honest work. 

Beggars also went up and down the field begging for 
more food than they could eat, and fighting over their ale. 

Pilgrims and palmers agreed together to seek the 
shrines of St. James and other saints, and set forth on 
their way with much foolish talk, only to come back and 
tell lies all their lives about their pilgrimage. 

A crowd of hermits, some of whom were only idle men 
who thought to lead a lazy life as a hermit, were going to 
a shrine at Walsingham, carrying their hooked pilgrims' 
staves. 

I found there also friars of all the four orders, who 
preached to the people to win money for themselves, 
explaining the gospels just as they pleased. 

In another place a pardoner preached as though he were 
a priest, and brought forth a bull signed with a bishop's 
seals, saying that he had power to forgive the people their 
sins. Ignorant men believed him and liked his words, and 
knelt down to kiss his bulls ; and he deceived them and 
gave them a false blessing, and took their riches in pay- 
ment. 



84 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Then there came forth a king, who was led by Knight- 
hood, and accompanied by Conscience and Common 
Sense, who said to him — 

" God keep thee, Sir King, and thy kingdom also, and 
help thee to govern thy land so that thy loyal people may 
love thee, and thou mayst be rewarded in heaven for thy 
good rule." 

Conscience also gave the king good advice, and then 
they rode into a court where were a number of lawyers, 
who were ready to plead a case for pence or pounds, but 
would not open their lips till money was shown to them. 

Then suddenly there ran out a crowd of rats and small 
mice, in number more than a thousand, who had come to 
take counsel for their common profit. For a certain cat 
came and went in the court as he pleased, and chased and 
caught them at his ease, and played with them perilously, 
pushing them about. 

" If we grumble at his game, he will hurt us still more, 
catching us in his claws, and holding us in his clutches, so 
that we shall lose our lives before he lets us go. Could we 
by any device withstand his will, we might be lords here, 
and do as we please." 

Thus spoke a rat of renown, who was most reasonable 
in his speech. 

" I have seen great lords in cities and towns wear collars 
of bright gold about their necks ; and thus by the rattle of 
the metal men might know their comings and goings. 
Right so," quoth the rat, " reason tells me to buy a bell 
of brass or of silver, and attach it to a collar, and hang it 
about the cat's neck. For then we shall hear whether 
he runs or rests, or roams about to play ; and if he wishes 
to sport, then we may appear cautiously in his presence, 
so long as he means no harm ; but if he grows angry, 
we may beware, and avoid his path." 

All the company of rats agreed to this reasoning, and 
the bell was bought and hung upon the collar. But there 
was no rat among them who for all the realm of France nor 



THE VISION OF WILLIAM 85 

to win all England durst hang the bell about the cat's 
neck. So their labour was lost. 

Then a mouse of much good sense, as it seemed to me, 
stood forth boldly before them all and addressed these 
words to the company of rats. 

" Though we had killed the cat, yet would there have 
come a kitten in his place to clutch us and all our kind, 
however much we hid ourselves under the benches. 
Therefore I counsel that, for the common profit, we let the 
cat alone, and never be so bold as to show him the bell. 
For I once heard my father say that where the cat is but 
a kitten the court is full wretched. So for my part I 
advise that we annoy neither the cat nor the kitten, nor 
talk of collars for them ; for misfortunes, that chasten 
many men, may one day teach them better. If the cat 
died, and the kitten ruled in his place, though we should 
be rid of a tyrant, there would be confusion amongst us 
all ; for even if you rats had your own way you could not 
rule yourselves." 

Now what this dream meant I leave you to divine, for 
I dare not do so myself. 

After this I saw in my sleep yet more people, barons 
and burgesses, bakers and brewers and butchers, wool- 
weavers and fullers, tailors and tanners and tillers of the 
earth, ditchers and diggers, cooks and their boys crying, 
" Hot pies, good geese and pigs ! Let's go and dine." 
Taverners also were there, crying, " White wine of Gascony, 
red wine of the Rhine, to help you digest the roast meat ! 
A taste for nothing ! " 

And now I will tell you what the tower and the 
dungeon in the murky dale and the field full of people 
meant. 

A lady, lovely of countenance, came down from that 
castle and called me by name, saying — 

" Will, sleepest thou, and seest thou these people, and 
how busy they are ? Most of the people who pass through 
this world will get no better honour than what they have 



86 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

here, for they take no account of Heaven, and so they will 
not receive honour in Heaven." 

I was afraid at the sight of her face, although it was so 
fair, and said — 

" Have mercy, madam, and tell me what may this mean ? " 

" The tower on the hill," quoth she, " is the abode of 
Truth, who desires that ye should do as His words teach. 
For He is the Father of faith and Creator of all things. 
In order that ye might be faithful to Him, He gave you 
five senses, wherewith ye may worship Him while ye live 
here. He also ordered the elements to help you at all 
times, and bring forth for your livelihood linen and wool, 
and the three things that are needful to all men— food, 
clothing, and drink." 

" Ah, madam," quoth I, " I like your words well. And 
what meaneth the dungeon in the dark dale, I beseech 
you ? " 

" That is the castle of Care," she said, " and whoso 
enters it may utter curses that he was born. Therein 
dwells a being whose name is Wrong, and who is father 
of Falsehood. He caused Adam and Eve to do ill, and 
counselled Cain to kill his brother. He deceived Judas 
through the Jews' silver, and afterwards hung him on an 
elder tree. He is a destroyer of love, and he tells lies at 
all times ; but he betrays the soonest those who trust in 
earthly treasure." 

Then I wondered what woman it was who spoke such 
wise words, and asked her what high name she bore that 
she was able to instruct me so wisely. 

So she told me that she was Holy Church, and then she 
gave me more of her wise teaching. 

She showed me how great a treasure is Truth, and how 
kings and knights and all Christian men should follow it. 
She taught me also that Love is the sovereign remedy for 
all sin and evil, and that without it there is no merit in 
any deeds or prayers ; and having bade me love Truth as 
the best of all treasures, she took her leave of me. 



THE VISION OF WILLIAM 87 



XV 

THE VISION OF WILLIAM CONCERNING PIERS 
THE PLOUGHMAN 

NOW when Holy Church had left me, Reason stood 
up in the field full of folk before the king, and 
preached to all the people, bidding them mend their lives ; 
and Repentance spoke after him, repeating what he had 
said. 

Then Peronelle Proudheart threw herself upon the earth, 
and long was it before she looked up again, crying, " Lord, 
have mercy," and promising that she would wear a hair- 
shirt to punish herself for her pride. 

" A proud heart shall never take possession of me hence- 
forth, but I will be lowly, and suffer myself to be rebuked, 
as I never did before. I will be meek and ask mercy 
of all those whom I have inwardly hated," she said. 

Then Luxury also began to lament and cry for mercy 
for his misdeeds, promising that for the next seven years 
he would keep a special fast on Saturdays, drinking only 
water like a duck, and eating but once in the day. 

Next Envy stood forth and asked with a heavy heart for 
forgiveness. He was pale and palsied, and clad in coarse 
rough cloth, with a knife by his side; and he accused 
himself of backbiting and bearing false witness, of envying 
his neighbours and wishing them ill. But now, he said, 
he was resolved to repent and amend his life. 

Then Wrath made his confession, and told how he was 
once a friar, and had made the other friars quarrel, and how 
he had also been cook in a convent, and had told evil tales of 
the nuns. So Repentance bade him repent also, and learn 
to keep his own counsel, and be sober in all things. 

After this appeared Avarice, who was so lean and ghastly 
to look upon that I can scarce describe him. 

" I have been covetous," quoth he, " I acknowledge it here 



88 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

before you all. I was apprenticed to Symme at the Style, 
and my first lesson was how to tell lies and to weigh un- 
fairly. Then I went amongst the drapers, and learnt how 
to cheat over the lengths of cloth; and I taught my wife to 
cheat also in her trade of selling ale. But now I swear 
I will never again use a false weight or drive an unfair 
bargain, but will go on a pilgrimage to Walsingham with 
my wife, and pray to be forgiven for my cheating." 

Then Repentance asked him — 

" Didst thou never repent or make restitution ? " 

" Yes, once," replied Avarice, " when I was lodged with 
a number of peddlers, and I arose in the night and robbed 
their wallets." 

"That was no restitution," quoth Repentance, "but a 
theft, for which thou didst merit hanging." 

" I thought restitution meant robbing," answered Avarice. 

But Repentance said that there could be no forgiveness 
for Avarice till he had made true restitution of all that he 
had stolen by cheating and robbery. 

And now Gluttony set out to make his confession, and 
turned towards a church to go and tell his sins. But as 
he went on his way, Beton the brewer's wife bade him 
good morning and tempted him into the ale-house to 
drink. There was a company of people gathered within — 
Sesse the sempstress, Tom the tinker, Hugh the needle- 
seller, Sir Piers of Prydie, Daw the ditcher, Clement the 
cobbler, and many more besides, who greeted Gluttony 
and gave him good ale. So he sat down and drank, while 
the others quarrelled and shouted and sang. But he 
drank so much that he became very ill, and was taken home 
and laid upon his bed ; and there his wife, and his own 
conscience, reproved him for his sin, and he was bitterly 
ashamed, and confessed his greed, vowing to practise 
abstinence in the future. 

Last of all came Sloth, crying that he must sit while he 
made his confession, for if he stood or knelt he would fall 
asleep in the middle of it. He confessed to knowing 



THE VISION OF WILLIAM 89 

rhymes about Robin Hood and Randolf, Earl of Chester, 
better than he knew his Paternoster, though he had been 
a priest for thirty years or more. He had not visited the 
poor, nor kept fasts or vigils, nor fulfilled any of his duties 
as a priest. But he too was resolved to amend his life, 
and made vows to go to church and read the services, 
instead of living in idleness and self-indulgence. 

Now after this Repentance made them all kneel down, 
while he prayed for their forgiveness ; and a great com- 
pany of a thousand people joined them, and all resolved 
to set out to find Truth. But there was not one of them 
who knew the way, and for a long time they wandered up 
and down like cattle straying over the banks and hills. 

At last they met a palmer, who carried a staff, a bowl, 
and a bag, and bore on his hat the signs of many pil- 
grimages that he had made — the shells of Galicia, the cross 
of the Holy Land, the keys of Rome, and many more 
besides, each of which told people of some shrine that he 
had visited. But when the crowd of repentant sinners 
asked him to guide them to Truth he could not do so, for 
he had never heard of such a person. 

At this moment a ploughman appeared, who cried — 

" By Saint Peter, I know Him as well as a clerk does his 
books. Conscience and Common Sense guided me to Him, 
and made me promise faithfully to serve Him for ever, by 
working hard in my tasks of sowing and planting as long 
as I am able to do so, and by thinking only of His profit 
in whatever I do. I have been His follower these forty 
years, and have served Him to His satisfaction, though I 
say it myself. I am well paid by Him, moreover, for He 
is the readiest payer that any poor man knows. He is 
lowly as a lamb and loyal in His tongue ; and if any one 
wishes to know where this Truth dwells, I will make known 
to him the way to His abode." 

Then the pilgrims thanked Piers the Ploughman and 
offered him a reward. But he answered — 

" Nay, by my soul's health, I will not take a farthing ! 



90 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Were it told to Truth that I took a reward, He would love 
me the less for a long time." 

So now the pilgrims learnt how to find Truth from this 
simple ploughman. He told them that they must go by 
the way of Meekness till they came to the abode of 
Conscience, and then on by a brook till they found a ford 
called Honour-thy-father-and-mother, by which they were 
to cross the stream. Then they would see a place called 
Swear-not, and beside it an enclosure named Covet-not, 
into which they were on no account to enter. Close by 
would be two stocks, Steal-not and Slay-not, but these 
they must leave on their left. Next they would come to 
the hill called Bear-no-false-witness, which was hedged 
about with florins and many other fees ; but they must 
turn aside from it, leaving untouched the plants that grew 
around it, and pass on by the way of Tell-the-truth. 

At last they would come to a shining court, surrounded 
by the moat of Mercy, and walled in by Wisdom to keep 
out Self-will. Its battlements were Christendom and its 
buttresses Believe-so, and all its halls and chambers were 
roofed with Love and Honest-speech. The bars were of 
Obedience, the bridge was called Pray-well ; each pillar 
was made of Penance, and the hooks on which hung the 
gates were of Almsgiving. 

The keeper of the gate was called Grace, and his man 
was Amend-you ; and the pilgrims must ask Grace to 
open up the wicket for them. Then if he granted them 
their request and they entered in, they would find at last 
that as they crossed the threshold Truth had come to dwell 
in their own hearts, to solace their souls, and save them 
from punishment for their sins. 

Piers told the pilgrims also that there were seven sisters 
at the posterns of the court, whose names were Absti- 
nence, Humility, Charity and Chastity, Patience and 
Peace and Generosity ; and all those who were related to 
these sisters would be welcome at the court, but those who 
were not would find it hard to enter in at the gates 



THE VISION OF WILLIAM 91 

Now when they heard this some of the pilgrims cried 
out that they had no relations at the court of Truth ; but 
Piers explained that the maiden Mercy had power over all 
the others, and was related to all sinful people, and would 
help them of her grace to enter in. 

But a few of the pilgrims now began to make excuses 
for themselves and left the company of those who were 
seeking for Truth. Even those who remained were afraid 
of the difficulty of the way and feared to venture on it 
without a guide. 

So Piers the Ploughman said that he would go with 
them himself when he had ploughed a half-acre more of 
land ; and meanwhile one of the women in the company 
asked him to give them some work to do, that they might 
employ their time profitably. So he gave some of them 
corn-sacks to sew, and others wool and flax to spin into 
clothes for the poor, and others silk embroidery to do for 
the churches. 

As for the men of the company, he set them to dig and 
to plough and to weed, while he himself was their over- 
seer. But some of them were idle and would not do their 
work. So Piers called in Hunger to help him, and Hunger 
soon forced them all to work as hard as they could to win 
bread for themselves. 

Now soon after this Truth heard the tale of all that had 
happened ; and He sent Piers what looked like a bull of 
pardon for all those who were working under him, bidding 
them stay where they were and go on with their work, 
instead of going on a journey to find Him. But when a 
priest who was in the company asked to read the pardon, 
he found that it only contained the words — 

" He who does well shall have eternal life ; but he who 
does evil shall have an evil end." 

Then the priest and Piers fell to disputing about the 
pardon, and through the noise of their argument I awoke, 
and saw that the sun had moved into the south, and 
realized that I was without food and without money on 



92 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

the Malvern Hills. So I arose and went on my way, 
musing upon my dream. 

The stories of the " Field Full of Folk " and of " Piers the 
Ploughman " are taken from William Langland s " Poke of 
Piers Plowman" which was written in the middle of the fourteenth 
century. 

XVI 

THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE 

I. OF THE GREAT CHAN OF CATHAY ; OF THE ROYALTY 
OF HIS PALACE AND HOW HE SITS AT MEAT; AND 
OF THE GREAT NUMBER OF OFFICERS THAT SERVE 
HIM 

CATHAY is a great country and a fair, noble and rich, 
and full of merchants. Thither go merchants all 
years to seek spices and all manner of merchandises, more 
commonly than any other part. And ye shall understand 
that merchants that come from Genoa or from Venice or 
from Romania or other parts of Lombardy, they go 
by sea and by land eleven months or twelve, or more 
sometimes, ere they come to the isle of Cathay, that is the 
principal region of all parts beyond ; and it belongs to the 
great Chan. 

From Cathay men go toward the east by many journeys. 
And then they find a good city between these others that 
men call Sugarmago. That city is one of the best stored 
of silk and other merchandises that is in this world. 

And besides that city the men of Tartary have made 
another city that is called Caydon. 

In this city is the seat of the Great Chan in a full great 
palace, and the most passing fair in all the world, of which 
the walls be in circuit more than two miles. And within 
the walls it is all full of other palaces. And in the garden 
of the great palace there is a great hill, upon which there 
is another palace, and it is the most fair and the most rich 
that any man may devise. And all about the palace and 



THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE 93 

the hill are many trees bearing diverse fruits. And all 
about the hill are ditches great and deep, and beside 
them are great fish ponds, and there is a full fair bridge 
to pass over the ditches. And in all these ponds are so 
many wild geese and ganders and wild ducks and swans 
and herons that it is without number. And all about these 
ditches and ponds is the great garden full of wild beasts, so 
that when the Great Chan will have any disport, to take 
any of the wild beasts or fowls, he will let chase them, and 
take them at the windows without going out of his 
chamber. 

This palace, where his seat is, is both great and passing 
fair. And within the palace, in the hall, there are twenty- 
four pillars of fine gold. And all the walls are covered 
within with red skins of beasts that men call panthers, 
that are fair beasts and well-smelling ; so that for the 
sweet odour of those skins, no evil air may enter into the 
palace. Those skins are red as blood, and they shine so 
bright against the sun that scarcely any men may behold 
them. And many folk worship those beasts, when they 
meet them first at morning, for their great virtue and for 
the good smell that they have. And those skins they 
prize more than though they were plates of fine gold. 

And in the midst of this palace is the cistern for the 
Great Chan, that is all wrought of gold and of precious 
stones and great pearls. And at four corners of the 
cistern are four serpents of gold. And all about there 
are made large nets of silk and gold and great pearls 
hanging all about the cistern. And under the cistern are 
conduits of beverage that they drink in the emperor's 
court. And beside the conduits are many vessels of gold, 
by which they that are of the household drink at the 
conduit. 

And the hall of the palace is full nobly arrayed, and full 
marvellously attired on all parts with all things that men 
use to apparel any hall. And first, at the chief end of the 
hall is the emperor's throne, full high, where he sitteth at 



94 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

the meat. And that is of full precious stones, bordered all 
about with refined gold and precious stones and great 
pearls. And the steps that he goeth up to the table are 
of precious stones mingled with gold. 

The emperor hath his table alone by himself, and it is 
of gold and precious stones, or of crystal bordered with 
gold, and full of precious stones or of amethysts, or of ivory 
bordered with gold. And his eldest son and the other lords 
also, and the ladies and all that sit with the emperor have 
tables alone by themselves, full rich. And there is no table 
but that it is worth an huge treasure of goods. 

And below the emperor's table sit four clerks that write 
all that the emperor saith, be it good, be it evil ; for all 
that he saith must be holden, for he may not change his 
word nor revoke it. 

And at great solemn feasts before the emperor's table 
men bring great tables of gold, and thereon are peacocks 
of gold and many other manner of diverse fowls, all of 
gold and richly wrought and enamelled. And men make 
them dance and sing, clapping their wings together and 
making a great noise. And whether it be by craft or by 
magic I know not ; but it is a good sight to behold, and a 
fair ; and it is a great marvel how it may be. But I have 
the less marvel, because they are the most subtle men in 
all sciences and in all crafts that are in the world. I did 
great business for to have learned that craft, but the 
master told me that he had made a vow to his god to teach 
it to no creature, but only to his eldest son. 

Also above the emperor's table and the other tables, and 
above a great part of the hall is a vine made of fine gold. 
And it spreadeth all about the hall. And it hath many 
clusters of grapes; some white, some green, some yellow, 
and some red and some black, all of precious stones. And 
they are all so properly made that it seemeth a very vine 
bearing kindly grapes. 

And before the emperor's table stand great lords and 
rich barons and others that serve the emperor at the meat. 



THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEV1LLE 95 

And no man is so hardy as to speak a word, unless the 
emperor speak to him, except it be minstrels that sing 
songs and tell jests or other disports, to solace the emperor. 
And all the vessels that men are served with in the hall or 
in the chambers are of precious stones, and specially at 
the great tables they are either of jasper or of amethysts 
or of fine gold. And the cups are of emeralds and of 
sapphires, or of topazes, and of many other precious 
stones. Vessels of silver are there none, for they set no 
value by it to make vessels of it ; but they make thereof 
steps and pillars and pavements for the halls and chambers. 
And before the hall door stand many barons and knights 
fully armed to keep watch that no man enter, unless it is 
the will or the commandment of the emperor, or if they are 
servants or minstrels of the household ; and none other 
is so hardy as to draw nigh the hall door. 

And ye shall understand that my fellows and I with 
our yeomen, we served this emperor and were his soldiers 
fifteen months against the King of Mancy, that held war 
against him. And the cause was because we had great 
desire to see his noblesse and the estate of his court and 
all his governance, to know if it were such as we heard say 
that it was. And truly we found it more noble and more 
excellent, and richer and more marvellous than ever we 
had heard speak of, in so much that we would never have 
believed it had we not seen it. 

And albeit that some men will not believe me, but hold 
it for fable to tell them the noblesse of his person and of 
his estate and of his court and of the great multitude of 
folk that he holds, nevertheless I shall tell you something 
of him and of his folk, according as I have seen the 
manner and the ordinance full many a time. For I know 
well, if any man hath been in those countries beyond, 
though he have not been in the place where the Great 
Chan dwelleth, he shall hear spoken of him so many 
marvellous things that he shall not believe it lightly. And 
truly, no more did I myself till I saw it. And those 



96 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

that have been in the Great Chan's household know well 
that I say sooth. 

XVII 

THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE 

II. WHEREFORE HE IS CALLED THE GREAT CHAN; OF 
THE GOVERNANCE OF THE GREAT CHAN'S COURT, 
AND WHEN HE MAKETH SOLEMN FEASTS ; AND OF HIS 
ARRAY WHEN HE RIDETH IN THE COUNTRY 

IT is but little more than eight score year that all 
Tartary was in subjection and in servage to other 
nations about. For they were but savage folk, and did 
nothing but kept beasts and led them to pastures. But 
among them they had seven principal nations that were 
sovereigns of them all. Of the which, the first nation or 
lineage was called Tartar, and that is the most noble and 
the most prized. 

Now it befell that of the first lineage succeeded an old 
worthy man that was not rich, that had to name Changuys. 
This man lay upon a night in his bed. And he saw in a 
vision that there came before him a knight armed all in 
white. And he sat upon a white horse, and said to him — 

"Chan, sleepest thou? The Immortal God hath sent 
me to thee, and it is His will that thou go to the seven 
lineages and say to them that thou wilt be their emperor. 
For thou shalt conquer the lands and the countries that 
be about, and they that march upon you shall be under 
your subjection, as ye have been under theirs, for that is 
God's will." 

And when the morrow came, Changuys rose, and went 
to the seven lineages, and told them how the White 
Knight had said. And they scorned him, and said that he 
was a fool. And so he departed from them all ashamed. 
And the night ensuing, this White Knight came to the 
seven lineages, and commanded them on God's behalf 
that they should make this Changuys their emperor, and 



THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE 97 

they should be out of subjection, and they should hold all 
other regions about them in their servage as they had 
been to them before. And on the morrow they chose him 
to be their emperor. And they set him upon a black 
palanquin, and after that they lifted him up with great 
solemnity. And they set him in a chair of gold, and did 
him all manner of reverence, and they called him Chan, 
as the White Knight called him. 

And when he was thus chosen, he wished to try if he 
might trust in them or no, and whether they would be 
obedient to him or no. And then he made statutes and 
ordinances, that they call Ysya Chan. The first statute 
was that they should believe in and obey God Immortal 
that is Almighty, and at all times call to Him for help 
in time of need. The second statute was that all manner 
of men that might bear arms should be numbered, and to 
every ten should be a master, and to every ten thousand 
a master. Afterwards he commanded to the principals 
of the seven lineages that they should leave and forsake 
all that they had in goods and heritage, and from hence- 
forth hold themselves paid with that which he would 
give them of his grace. And they did so anon. 

And when the Chan saw that they made no obstacle 
to perform his commandment, then he thought well that 
he might trust in them, and commanded them anon to 
make them ready and to follow his banner. And after 
this Chan put in subjection all the lands about him. 

Afterwards it befell upon a day that the Chan rode with 
a few followers to behold the strength of the country that 
he had won. And it so befell that a great multitude of 
his enemies met with him. And for to give good example 
of hardiness to his people, he was the first that fought 
in the midst of his enemies, and there he was cast from 
his horse, and his horse was slain. 

And when his folk saw him on the earth they were 
all abashed, and weened he had been dead, and fled every 
one, and their enemies chased them, but they knew not 
7 



98 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

that the emperor was there. And when the enemies were 
far pursuing the chase the emperor hid himself in a thick 
wood. And when they were come again from the chase 
they went and sought if any of them had been hid in the 
thick of the woods ; and many they found, and slew them 
anon. 

So it happened that as they went searching towards 
the place where the emperor was, they saw an owl sitting 
upon a tree above him ; and then they said amongst them 
that there was no man, because they saw that bird there, 
and so they went their way ; and thus escaped the emperor 
from death. 

Then he went privily all by night, till he came to his 
folk, who were full glad of his coming, and made great 
thanks to God Immortal, and to that bird by whom their 
lord was saved. And therefore principally above all fowls 
of the world they worship the owl ; and when they have 
any of their feathers they keep them full preciously instead 
of relics, and bear them upon their heads with great rever- 
ence, and they hold themselves blessed and safe from all 
perils while that they have them upon them. 

After all this the Chan assembled his people, and went 
upon them that had assailed him before, and destroyed 
them, and put them in subjection and servage. And when 
he had won and put all the lands and countries on this 
half the Mount Belian in subjection, the White Knight 
came to him again in his sleep, and said to him — 

" Chan ! the will of God Immortal is that thou pass the 
Mount Belian. And thou shalt win the land, and thou 
shalt put many nations in subjection. And because thou 
shalt find no good passage to go toward that country, go 
to the Mount Belian that is upon the sea, and kneel there 
nine times towards the east in worship of God Immortal, 
and He shall show the way to pass by." 

And the Chan did so. And anon the sea that touched 
and was fast to the mount began to withdraw, and showed 
a fair way of nine foot in breadth ; and so he passed with 



THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE 99 

his folk, and won the land of Cathay, that is the greatest 
kingdom in the world. 

And for the nine kneelings and for the nine foot of 
way, the Chan and all the men of Tartary have the 
number of nine in great reverence. And therefore who- 
ever will make the Chan any present, be it of horses, be 
it of birds, or of arrows, or bows, or of fruit, or of any 
other thing, always he must make it of the number nine. 
And then the presents are of greater pleasure to him ; and 
he will receive them more benignly than though he were 
presented with an hundred or two hundred. For to him 
the number of nine seems so holy, because the messenger 
of God devised it. 

Also, when the Chan of Cathay had won the country 
of Cathay, and put in subjection and under foot many 
countries round about, he fell sick. And when he felt that 
he should die, he said to his twelve sons that each of them 
should bring him one of his arrows. And so they did 
anon. And he commanded that men should bind them 
together in three places. And then he took them to his 
eldest son, and bade him break them all together. And 
he tried with all his might to break them, but he could 
not. Then the Chan bade his second son to break them ; 
and so shortly to all, each after the other ; but none of 
them could break them. And then he bade the youngest 
son dissever every one from the others, and break each 
by himself. And so he did. Then said the Chan to his 
eldest son and to all the others — 

" Wherefore could ye not break them ? " 

And they answered that they could not because they 
were bound together. 

" And wherefore," quoth he, " hath your little youngest 
brother broken them ? " 

"Because," quoth they," they were parted from each other." 

Then said the Chan — 

"My sons, truly thus will it fare with you. For as long 
as ye are bound together in three places, that is to say, in 



100 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

love, in truth, and in good accord, no man shall be of 
power to grieve you. But if ye are dissevered from these 
three places, ye shall be destroyed and brought to naught. 
And if all of you love one another and help one another, 
ye shall be lords and sovereigns of all others." 

And when he had made his ordinances, he died. And 
then after him reigned Ecchecha Cane, his eldest son. 
And his other brethren went to win for themselves many 
countries and kingdoms, unto the lands of Prussia and of 
Russia, and made themselves to be called Chane ; but they 
were all obedient to their brother, and therefore was he 
called the Great Chan. 

Now I shall tell you the governance of the court of the 
Great Chan when he maketh great feasts. 

At each of these feasts he hath great multitude of 
people, well ordained and well arrayed, by thousands, by 
hundreds, and by tens. And every man knoweth well 
what service he shall do, and giveth so good heed and so 
good attendance to his service that no man findeth any 
fault with it. And there are first ordained four thousand 
barons, mighty and rich, for to govern and to make ordi- 
nance for the feast, and for to serve the emperor. 

And these solemn feasts are made without in halls and 
tents made of cloths of gold and of Tartar cloth, full 
nobly. And all those barons have crowns of gold upon 
their heads, full noble and rich, full of precious stones and 
great pearls. And they are all clothed in cloths of gold, 
or of Tartar cloth, or of thick silk, so richly and so per- 
fectly that no man in the world can better devise it. And 
all those robes are embroidered with gold all about, and 
set with precious stones and great orient pearls, full richly. 
And they may well do so, for cloths of gold and of silk 
are cheaper there a great deal than are cloths of wool. 
And these four thousand barons are divided into four 
companies, and every thousand is clothed in cloths all of 
one colour, and that so well arrayed and so richly that it 
is a marvel to behold. 



THE TRAVELS OF SIR JOHN MANDEVILLE 101 

The first thousand, that is of dukes, of earls, of mar- 
quises, and of admirals, are all clothed in cloths of gold, 
with tissues of green, and bordered with gold full of 
precious stones in manner as I have said before. The 
second thousand are all clothed in cloths of red silk, all 
wrought with gold, and the embroidery set full of great 
pearls and precious stones. The third thousand are 
clothed in cloths of silk, of purple or of blue. And the 
fourth thousand are in cloths of yellow. 

And when they are thus apparelled, they go two and 
two together in order before the Emperor, without speech 
of any word, save only inclining to him. And every one 
of them beareth a tablet of jasper or of ivory or of crystal, 
and the minstrels go before them, sounding their instru- 
ments of divers melody. And when the first thousand 
have thus passed and have made their muster, they with- 
draw on one side ; and then entereth the second thousand, 
and doth right so in the same manner of array and 
countenance as did the first ; and after, the third ; and then 
the fourth ; and none of them saith a word. 

Then begin the minstrels to make their minstrelsy in 
divers instruments with all the melody that they can 
devise. And when they have done their craft, then they 
bring before the emperor lions, leopards, and other kinds 
of beasts, and eagles, and vultures, and other kinds of 
fowls, and fishes and serpents, for to do him reverence. 
And then come jugglers and enchanters, that do many 
marvels ; for they make to come in the air, by seeming, 
the sun and the moon to every man's sight. And after- 
wards they make the night so dark that no man may see 
anything. And then they make the day to come again, 
fair and pleasant with bright sun, to every mari's sight. 

Then they bring in dancers of the fairest damsels in the 
world, and richest arrayed. And after they make to come 
in other damsels bringing cups of gold full of milk, and 
they give drink to the lords and ladies. And then they 
make knights to joust in arms full lustily ; and they rush 



102 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

together full fiercely, and break their spears so rudely 
that the truncheons fly in sprouts and pieces all about the 
hall. And then they make to come in men hunting for 
the hart and for the bear, with hounds running with open 
mouths. And many other things they do by craft of their 
enchantment, that it is a marvel for to see. 

When the emperor will ride from one country to 
another, he rides in a chariot with four wheels, upon which 
is made a fair chamber, and this chamber is full well 
smelling because of the wood that it is made of. And it 
is covered within with plate of fine gold dubbed with 
precious stones and great pearls. And four elephants 
and four great war-horses, all white and covered with 
rich coverings, lead the chariot. And four or five or six 
of the greatest lords ride about this chariot, full richly 
arrayed and full nobly, so that no man shall come nigh 
the chariot but only those lords, unless the emperor 
call any man to him to speak with him. And above 
the chamber of this chariot that the emperor sitteth 
in are set upon a perch four or five or six falcons, so 
that when the emperor seeth any wild fowl, he may 
take it at his own pleasure, and have the sport and the 
play of the flight, first with one falcon and after with 
another ; and so he taketh his sport passing by the country. 
And no man rideth before him of his company, but all 
after him. 

Under the firmament is not so great a lord, nor so 
mighty nor so rich as is the Great Chan ; not Prester 
John, that is Emperor of the High Ind, nor the Soldan of 
Babylon, nor the Emperor of Persia. All these are not to 
be compared to the Great Chan, neither for their might, 
nor for their noblesse, nor for their royalty, nor for their 
riches ; for in all these he passeth all earthly princes. 



The " Travels of Sir John Mandeville" was once thought to have 
been wi'itten by a real Sir John Ma?ideville, who was describing his 
oivn travels. But it was really written in the first place i?i French 



THE STORY OF MAK 103 

by a Flemish writer, who took his descriptions from earlier books of 
travels, and it was translated into English about the end of the 
fourteenth century. 



XVIII 

THE STORY OF MAK 

ONE cold winter's evening a poor shepherd was on his 
way to look after his sheep ; and as he walked 
along he groaned at the weather and at his own ill 
fortune, for he lived in days when the retainers of great 
lords did what they pleased to poor men, confident that 
their masters would prevent them from being punished. 

" Heaven, how cold it is," he said, " and I am but ill 
wrapped up for such weather. My legs are stiff, my 
fingers are chapped, and 1 am nigh stupid with sleeping 
in the cold. My lot is not what I could wish, for we poor 
shepherds, in faith, have scarce a roof to cover us. But no 
wonder we are poor, for we are so taxed and robbed by 
these gentle-folk that we have no spirit left in us. They 
tell us that it is for the best ; but we find it quite the con- 
trary. 'Tvvere a great wonder, when they oppress us thus, 
if we were to thrive. For look ye, there comes along a 
swain as proud as a peacock, and says he must borrow my 
wagon and plough. I had better hang than say him nay, 
for these men must have their way, even if they be but up- 
starts. For nowadays, let a man but get a sleeve with 
a lord's badge painted on it, and no one dares resist him, 
however masterful he may be. He boasts and he brags, 
and greater men uphold him, and woe to the man who 
displeases or gainsays him ! Well, well, it does me good 
to make my moan like this. But now I must be after my 
sheep. I expect I shall have company ere long." 

So he set off to his sheepfold, and very soon he met 
another shepherd, who also began to grumble. 

" As I am a true man. this weather is spiteful. The 



104 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

frosts are so hideous they make my eyes water, and my 
shoes freeze to my feet with the sleet and the snow. Life 
is not easy for us nowadays. But in truth, as far as I ken, 
there has never been aught but woe for us poor wedded 
men. We get but little of our will, and lead but a sorry 
life. We must keep our sighs to ourselves, too. How- 
ever, I have learnt my part — I know my lesson. But 
have ye seen aught of Daw ? " 

" Yea," replied the First Shepherd, " I heard him blow- 
ing his pipe, and he must be near at hand." 

Then a third shepherd, Daw, a boy who worked under 
one of the other shepherds, appeared, and in his turn 
began to make complaints, without at first seeing the 
other two. 

" Saint Nicholas speed me — and I have need of it, for 
I fare worse than ever. Never since the days of Noah 
were such floods seen, such rough wind and rain, and 
such fierce storms." 

At this moment he caught sight of the other shepherds, 
and cried — 

" Ah, sir, and my good master, heaven save you ! I 
would fain have a drink and somewhat to eat." 

But the First Shepherd replied — 

" A curse be upon you, knave, for you are but a bad 
shepherd"; and the Second Shepherd cried — 

" What ? The boy raves. 'Tis an ill bargain to have 
taken him as a servant. Though the rascal came late, yet 
he would be taking his dinner already, if he had any." 

To this Daw answered — 

" Such servants as I, that sweat and work hard, must 
yet eat our bread full dry, it seems. We are oft wet and 
weary while our masters sleep, but both dinner and drinks, 
and our pay too, come but slowly. But hereafter, master, 
I shall work as I am paid. I shall do but little, and amuse 
myself as I please ; for, as men say, ' a cheap bargain 
yields but poorly.' " 

But the Second Shepherd rebuked Daw, and bade him 



THE STORY OF MAK 105 

be silent, or he would have reason to be afraid. Then he 
asked after the sheep, and on learning that they " had 
good pasture, and could not go wrong," he suggested 
that as their minds were now at rest about their flocks 
they should sing a song to pass the time. So they took 
their parts, tenor, treble, and mean, and were carolling 
merrily when a man named Mak appeared lamenting his 
misfortunes, and wishing he were in Heaven, where no 
bairns weep. Now Mak had a bad name as a thief, and 
on seeing him Daw warned the others to look to their 
goods, for fear Mak should try to steal them. But at 
the moment he did nothing worse than give himself 
humorous airs. 

" I am a king's yeoman, I tell you," he said, " sent to 
you by a great lord, and you must pay me reverence." 

But the shepherds only laughed at his boasts, and being 
Northerners themselves, told him to "take out his lying 
Southern tooth," and admit that they were as good as he 
was. At first he still went on boasting, but when the 
Second Shepherd threatened him with a beating he decided 
that it was best to hold his tongue. 

The shepherds were still suspicious of him, however, 
and accused him of being out so late in order to steal 
sheep. But Mak replied that all men knew him to be 
as true as steel. 

So at last the shepherds decided to be friendly, and by 
way of showing his goodwill the First Shepherd asked after 
Mak's wife. 

" Why," cried he, " she does naught but eat and drink 
and loll by the fire. However rich I were, she would eat 
me out of house and home." 

After this the shepherds agreed to lie down and sleep 
for a time ; but each wanted the other to keep watch for 
fear of Mak. At last they settled it by making Mak lie 
between them, and soon they were all three asleep. 

Mak now saw his opportunity. 

" This is the time," he said, " for a man who lacks what 



106 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

he desires to stalk secretly into a sheepfold and help him- 
self. But I must make good shift, or I shall have to pay- 
dearly for my bargain." 

Then he pretended to cast a spell upon the shepherds 
to make them sleep heavily, and when he found by their 
snoring that they were deep in sleep he went to the 
sheepfold, saying to himself — 

" I was never a shepherd, but I'll soon learn the trade ! " 

So he seized a sheep, crying — 

" Ha, now my sorrows are beginning to mend ! I'll 
borrow this fat sheep with its fine white fleece." 

Then he went home with the sheep, knocked at the 
door, and asked Gyll, his wife, to let him in. 

But Gyll called out — 

" Who makes such a din at this time of night ? I am 
at my spinning, and will not get up, no, not even to earn 
a penny. I can't be disturbed for such small matters." 

" Good wife, open the door," answered Mak, "and come 
and see what I bring with me." 

So she let him in, but on seeing the stolen sheep 
cried — 

" Thou art like to hang by the neck for this." 

But Mak was too pleased with himself to have any 
fears, and answered boastingly — 

" Get along ! See how worthy of my meat I am, for at 
a pinch I can obtain more than those that work all the 
long day." 

" Yet it were a pity to hang for it," said Gyll. 

" Pooh ! " cried Mak. " I have escaped many as great 
a risk." 

" Yes, but so oft goes the pitcher to the well, it comes 
back broken at last," his wife replied. 

Mak, however, was undaunted, and told Gyll to cook 
the sheep quickly, for he wanted his dinner. But she was 
still afraid of the shepherds, and proposed that they should 
hide the sheep in her cradle, and pretend if the shepherds 
came that it was a baby. They agreed upon this, and 



THE STORY OF MAK 107 

then Mak went back to the field and lay down in his place 
as though he had never left it. 

Presently the shepherds began to wake one by one, 
and Daw, who was still suspicious, asked where Mak was, 
for he had dreamt that he had trapped one of the sheep. 
Thereupon Mak pretended to wake, complaining of a stiff 
neck from his heavy sleep. He then declared that he 
must go home to his wife, but first he bade the shepherds 
see that he had stolen nothing. So they separated to go 
to the sheepfolds to count their sheep, and agreed to meet 
afterwards at the " crooked thorn tree," a well-known land- 
mark in the neighbourhood. 

Meanwhile Mak went home, and Gyll inquired how he 
had fared with the shepherds, and he told her that they 
were counting their sheep, and that they would be sure to 
suspect him when they found one missing. 

So they swaddled the sheep in the cradle, and Gyll lay 
down on the bed and pretended to be ill, while Mak 
prepared to sing a lullaby directly the shepherds appeared. 

The latter meanwhile had met again, and the First Shep- 
herd complained that he had lost a fat sheep. Daw at 
once suspected either Mak or Gyll, and they agreed to go 
to Mak's house to see for themselves. 

On arriving there they could hear Mak singing " clear 
out of tune," and they called to him to let them in. He 
soon did so, but begged them to speak softly as his wife 
was ill. Then he asked them to sit down, and offered to 
light a fire and give them dinner. 

" Xay," said the Second Shepherd, " neither drink nor 
meat will mend our mood." 

" Why, sir," said Mak, " is aught wrong ? " 

" Yea," answered Daw, " our loss is great ; one of our 
sheep is stolen." 

"What?" cried Mak. "'Had I been there the robber 
should have paid sorely for it ! " 

But to this the First Shepherd replied dryly — 

" Marrv, some think that vou were there," and the other 



108 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

shepherds joined in with accusations against both Mak 
and Gyll. Thereupon Mak, protesting his innocence, bade 
them search the house, while Gyll tried to turn the tables 
on them by saying that they had come to rob her. Mak 
then reproached the shepherds for disturbing her, and she 
declared that she would eat the child in the cradle if ever 
she had beguiled them ! 

But the shepherds could find nothing in the house, and 
so thought that they must have made a mistake. A little 
ashamed of themselves, they began to ask after Mak's 
child, and he replied in his usual boastful manner that 
" any lord might have the child for his son." 

The shepherds then took their leave. But Daw's con- 
science soon began to prick him for his unkind suspicions, 
and he went back and asked Mak to let him give the child 
sixpence. 

At this Mak was frightened and cried — 

" Nay, go away. He is asleep." 

" But methinks he is peeping out," answered Daw. 

But the other shepherds were now coming back, and 
Mak cried out in terror — 

" When he wakes, he weeps. I pray you go hence." 

" Let me first lift the coverlet and kiss him," said Daw, 
and he pulled back the cloth that covered the cradle. 

" What is this ? " he cried. " He has a very long snout! " 

"Yes," said the second shepherd, "and he is like our 
sheep ! " 

At this Mak and Gyll began to protest vehemently that 
it was their own child that lay in the cradle, but even 
when Gyll declared that an elf had bewitched him, and 
changed him into a sheep, the shepherds were not to be 
deceived. They were furious, and threatened death to 
Mak and Gyll ; but at the same time they could not help 
seeing the joke. 

" Come and see how they've swaddled him," cried Daw 
to the others, " with his four feet tied up in the middle ! 
Never in my life did I see a horned boy in a cradle ! " 



LONDON LICKPENNY 109 

So Mak at last pleaded guilty, but promised never to 
steal again on penalty of losing his head, and the shepherds 
agreed to let him off with a good tossing in a blanket. 
They tossed him with a will till they were tired out, and 
then they went out into the fields once more and lay down 
to rest. 

So Mak got off with very little punishment for his sheep- 
stealing on that occasion. Whether or not he kept his 
promise to the shepherds we do not know ; but it is greatly 
to be feared that this was not the last occasion on which 
he " borrowed " a fine fat sheep ! 



The story of Mak is told in one of a great series of scriptural 
plays known as "Miracle Plays" which used to be acted at Wakefield, 
in Yorkshire, in the fifteenth century. 

Though the latter half of the play is serious and contains an 
account of the Nativity, the earlier scenes about Mak form what is 
7-eally the first English comedy. 



XIX 

LONDON L1CKPENNY 

THERE was once a day when I set out for London, 
hoping to find Truth flourishing there ; and first I 
went to Westminster to make my complaint to a man of 
law. 

Now as I pushed my way through the crowd, by an 
evil chance my hood was stolen ; but for all that, I 
did not stop my journey till I came to the King's Bench. 
Then I knelt down before the judge, and prayed him, for 
the love of Heaven, to take notice of my case. There was 
a great company of clerks sitting on the benches beneath 
him, and they were all writing with one accord, while one 
stood up from time to time and called out the names of 
those men whose cases were to be heard, crying, " Richard, 
Robert, and John of Kent," though in truth I understood 



110 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

but half of what he meant. But these were rich men, 
while I was poor, and no one paid any heed to me, and so 
for lack of money my cause did not prosper in that court. 

So then I went to the Court of Common Pleas, and 
there I found a lav/yer wearing a fine silk hood. I made 
my reverence to him as became me, and told him my 
case as well as I could. I told him how I had been de- 
frauded of my goods by lying men ; but I could not get 
him so much as to open his mouth to answer me, so again 
for lack of money my cause did not prosper. 

From thence I betook myself to the Court of Chancery, 
where many a man was earning pence, though none of 
them would look at me. I pleaded my case to them upon 
my knees, and they said it was a good one when they had 
heard it ; but as I had no money, they could do nothing 
for me. 

Now in Westminster Hall I found a man dressed in a 
long gown, and I crouched on my knees before him and 
prayed him to help me. But he answered, " I know not 
what you mean," and bade me go away. So once more 
for lack of money I could not prosper. 

For it was very clear that within that hall neither rich 
nor poor would do anything for me, even though I were 
dying. So I went out at the door, and immediately the 
Flemish tradesmen beset me, crying — 

" Master, what will you buy ? Fine felt hats, or spec- 
tacles with which to read ? Lay down your silver, and 
here you will get what you want." 

But I had no silver, so I went on to Westminster Gate ; 
and there the cooks began to call my attention. They 
offered me bread, with ale and wine, and also some 
fine, fat ribs of beef. They began to spread a fair cloth 
too, but since I had no money, I could not pay for the 
food. 

Now after this I hied me to London, which is the finest 
town in all the land. Here one was crying " Hot pea- 
pods," another " Strawberry ripe," and a third " Cherries 



LONDON LICKPENNY 111 

on the bough." Others bade me come near and buy some 
spice, offering me pepper and saffron ; but how could I 
buy them without any money ? 

Then I drew nigh to Cheapside, where there were many 
people. One offered me velvet, silk, and lawn, while 
another took me by the hand, crying — 

" Here is Paris thread, the finest in the land." In truth, 
I was not used to seeing such fine things ; but it was all in 
vain, for I still lacked money. 

Next I went up Cannon Street, passing London Stone, 
and here were the drapers, offering their cloth. Also I 
met a man crying " Hot sheep's feet," while two more 
cried " Mackerel," and u Green rushes." Yet a fourth bade 
me buy a hood to cover my head ; but for want of money 
I could not even do that. 

After this I went to East Cheap, where ribs of beef and 
many pies were being sold, while a man made a great 
clatter by throwing pewter pots together in a heap. Llere, 
too, there was the music of a harp and a pipe, and some 
men were singing ballads to earn a reward of pence, and 
others were shouting and arguing together. But still my 
trouble was that I had no money. 

At last I came to Cornhill, and there they were selling 
stolen goods. What should I see but my own hood hang- 
ing up, the very one that I had lost in the crowd ! I knew 
it as well as I did the Creed, but it seemed to me a mistake 
to buy my own hood ! Besides, I lacked money, so how 
could I buy it ? 

Now a tavern-keeper stood by, who caught me by the 
sleeve and said — 

" Sir, will you try our wine ? " 

To this I answered — 

" That cannot do me much harm. I have but a penny, 
and what's the use of keeping it ? " and I drank a pint of 
wine and paid for it. But I went away from the inn in 
great hunger, and could buy no food for my lack of 
money. 



112 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Then I hied me to Billingsgate, and prayed a bargeman 
to take me across the river for the love of Heaven, and 
spare me the expense of paying for my journey. 

But he replied — 

" You will not escape here for less than twopence, for 
I have no mind yet to be giving alms in preparation for 
my death." 

So yet once more I could not get what I wanted for 
lack of money. 

And now at last I returned home into Kent, for I was 
quite determined to meddle no more with the law, but to 
put up with my grievances as best I could, since no man 
would pay any heed to them. But may Heaven save 
London, and send lawyers a fitting reward, for whoever 
lacks money cannot prosper with them ! 



The poem of " London Lickpenny " was formerly thought to 
have bee?i written by John Zydgate, a monk who was born about 
1370. The real author is still unknozvn, but it belongs to 
Lydgate's period ', the early fiftee?ith century. 



XX 

ROBIN HOOD AND SIR RICHARD-AT- 
THE-LEE 

E»TEN, gentlemen, that are of freeborn blood, and 
I will tell you about a good yeoman. His name was 
Robin Hood, and all his life he was a proud outlaw. But 
so courteous an outlaw as he was never found, and he 
would never do any harm to a company in which there 
was a woman, for he held all women in great respect and 
honour. 

Now one day Robin stood in the forest of Barnsdale 
and leant against a tree, and beside him stood his good 
yeoman Little John, and Scarlet also, and Much, the 
miller's son. 



ROBIN HOOD AND SIR RICHARD-AT-THE-LEE 113 

Then Little John spoke to Robin, saying — 

" Master, 'tis time to dine." 

But Robin answered — 

" I will not dine till I have some bold baron or a knight 
or a squire with me who will pay for his dinner." 

So Little John prepared to set forth in search of a 
guest ; but first he questioned his master, saying — 

" Where shall we go, and how shall we act ? Whom 
shall we rob, and whose goods shall we leave untouched ? 
Whom shall we beat and bind ? " 

To this Robin made answer — 

" Do no harm to any husbandman who is tilling with 
his plough, nor to any good yeoman who walks in the 
greenwood, nor to any knight or squire. But ye may beat 
and bind the rich clergy, who live in luxury themselves 
and oppress poor men ; and keep in mind that the High 
Sheriff of Nottingham is no friend of ours." 

Then Little John and Much and William Scarlet set out 
in search of a guest, and after a time they saw a knight 
riding towards them with his retinue. He made but a 
sorry appearance, and seemed to have lost his pride, for 
he had but one foot in the stirrup, and his hood hung 
down over his eyes, and his clothes and trappings were 
mean and old. 

But Little John showed him courtesy, and knelt before 
him, saying — 

" Welcome, gentle knight ; welcome to the greenwood. 
My master has been waiting for you, fasting, these three 
hours." 

" Who is your master ? " asked the knight ; and John 
answered, " Robin Hood." 

" He is a good yeoman," said the knight, " and I have 
heard men speak well of him. My purpose was to have 
dined to-day at Blyth or Doncaster, but I will go with you 
to your master, since you ask me." 

So the knight, whose name was Sir Richard-at-the-Lee, 
rode on his way with Little John, till they came to where 
8 



114 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Robin was waiting ; and Robin took off his hood and went 
on his knee, saying courteously — 

" Welcome, Sir Knight. I have awaited thee these 
three hours." 

And the gentle knight replied with fair words : 

" God save thee, good Robin, and all thy company." 

When they had thus exchanged greetings, they washed 
and wiped their hands, and sat them down to their dinner. 
They had bread and wine and venison, with swans and 
pheasants and many other birds. And Robin bade the 
knight make good cheer, and the knight thanked him 
heartily. 

" For," said he, " I have not had such a dinner for three 
weeks ; and if I come this way again, Robin, I will give thee 
as good a dinner as thou hast given me." 

" I thank thee, knight," said Robin ; " but methinks it 
is right that thou shouldst pay ere thou goest. It was 
never the custom, by Heaven, for a yeoman to pay for 
a knight." 

But Sir Richard answered — 

" I have naught in my coffers that I can offer thee for 
very shame. I have nothing but ten shillings." 

To this Robin answered — 

" If thou hast no more, I will not take a penny ; and if 
thou hast need of more I will lend it to thee." 

Then he called to Little John — 

" Go forth, and see if there are but ten shillings in the 
knight's mantle." 

So Little John spread the mantle on the ground and 
searched in it ; and he found but ten shillings as the 
knight had said. 

Now Robin wondered at this, and said to Sir Richard — 

" Surely thou must have been made a knight against 
thy will, if thou art so poor ; or else thou hast been a bad 
husbandman, or a usurer, or hast done some evil or other." 

But the knight replied — 

" I am none of these. My ancestors have been knights 



ROBIN HOOD AND SIR RICHARD-AT-THE-LEE 115 

before me for a hundred years. But it has often happened 
that a knight has been disgraced through no fault of his 
own. Two years ago, Robin, I could spend four hundred 
pounds yearly, and my neighbours will bear me witness 
of this. But now, alas ! it has come to pass that I have 
no property whatsoever." 

" And in what manner," asked Robin, " didst thou lose 
thy riches ? " 

Then Sir Richard told Robin how his son had slain 
a knight in a joust, and how to save him he had put his 
lands in pawn to a rich abbot whose abbey was near at 
hand. The sum he had to pay to redeem them was four 
hundred pounds, and since he could not pay it, there was 
nothing left for him to do but to forfeit his lands and go 
on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. For the men who 
had boasted of their friendship towards him when he was 
rich had now deserted him, and took no more heed of 
him than if they had never seen him, so that he could find 
no one to lend him any money. 

Robin and his followers were moved to great pity by 
this tale, and Robin sent Little John to his treasury to 
fetch four hundred pounds to give to the knight. Then 
Little John cried — 

" Master, his apparel is full thin. Ye must give the 
knight a suit of clothes, for ye have scarlet and green- 
coloured cloth in plenty, and there is no merchant in 
merry England so rich as ye are." 

" Give him three yards of each colour," said Robin, 
" and see you measure it fairly." 

So Little John took his bow as a measure and measured 
out the cloth, and then he turned to Robin Hood, 
saying — 

" Master, ye must give the knight a horse to carry home 
all this cloth." 

So Robin gave the knight a grey courser and a new 
saddle, and Much added a good palfrey, and Scarlet a 
pair of boots, and Little John a pair of gilt spurs. 



116 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Then the knight asked what day he should come back 
to pay his debt, and Robin appointed that day twelve- 
month. And, as a last act of kindness, he sent his trusty 
yeoman, Little John, to attend his guest on his journey. 
So Sir Richard went on his way rejoicing and blessing 
Robin Hood ; and he redeemed his lands from the abbot's 
hands, and then returned home to his castle, and began 
to collect money against the day when he should return 
to pay Robin Hood the four hundred pounds. 

Now the year went by and the appointed day came, 
but the knight did not appear, because as he rode on his 
way to the trysting-place he had turned aside for the love 
of Robin to help a poor yeoman who was not receiving 
fair play in a wrestling match at some country games. 
When Robin found therefore that the knight did not 
come, he sent forth Little John, Scarlet, and Much to seek 
another guest to dine with him, one who would be able to 
pay him four hundred pounds ; for though he would never 
rob a poor man, he did not think it wrong to make the 
rich pay poor men's debts. 

Before long the three trusty yeomen saw a monk riding 
towards them, followed by a retinue of fifty men, with 
seven strong pack-horses bearing his riches ; and Little 
John cried — 

" Brethren, I dare lay my life that this is the man who 
shall pay our master ; and though we are but three against 
so many, we must bring him to dinner, or we cannot go 
back to Robin Hood." 

Then he called to the monk — 

" Abide, and come no farther, for if thou dost I shall 
slay thee. Thou hast made our master wroth, because he 
has waited for thee fasting for so long." 

" Who is your master ? " asked the monk. 

" Robin Hood." 

" He is a thief," said the monk, " and I have never heard 
aught good of him." 

But Little John answered — 



ROBIN HOOD AND SIR RICHARD-AT-THE-LEE 117 

" Thou liest, and thou shalt repent it. He is a yeoman 
of the forest, and has bidden thee to dine with him." 

Then the yeomen drew their bows, and Much pointed 
his arrow at the monk's breast. At this all his followers 
turned and fled, save only a little page and a groom, who 
led the pack-horses to Robin Hood, while Much and 
Little John took the monk in custody between them to 
their master. 

When Robin saw the monk he raised his hood ; but 
the monk was not so courteous, and did not return the 
greeting. 

Then Robin summoned his yeomen, and they prepared 
the meal, and served the monk with his dinner ; and after- 
wards Robin asked, as was his custom, how much his 
guest had in his coffers. 

" Sir," said the monk, " but twenty pounds, as I hope to 
prosper." 

" If there is no more," said Robin, " I will not take a 
penny ; and if thou hast need of more I will lend it thee. 
But if I find more than twenty pounds thou wilt have to 
give it up." 

So Robin sent Little John to search the monk's mantle, 
and there he found over eight hundred pounds. At this 
Robin rejoiced, for it was twice the sum that he needed to 
repay him for what he had lent the knight. 

But the monk was very wroth, and cried — 

" By Heaven, 'tis no courtesy to bid a man to dinner and 
then treat him so ill." 

" Nevertheless it is an old custom of ours to leave but 
little behind for our guests to take away with them," said 
Robin. 

Then the monk put spurs to his horse, for he feared to 
stay longer. But Robin cried after him — 

" Will you not have a drink of wine before you go ? " 

" Nay," said the monk, " I would I had never come near 
you, for I should have dined far more cheaply at Blyth or 
Doncaster." 



118 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROIUANCE 

" Greet well your abbot and your prior for me," Robin 
called back, " and bid them send me such a monk as you 
to dinner every day." 

So the monk rode away, leaving all his riches behind 
him ; and now at last the knight came riding into the 
greenwood, with all his merry company. When he saw 
Robin he alighted from his palfrey, doffed his hood, and 
fell on his knee, saying — 

" God save thee, Robin Hood, and all this company." 

" Welcome be thou, gentle knight," Robin answered. 
" Hast thou thy land again ? " 

11 Yea," said the knight, " and I thank Heaven and thee 
for it. But take it not amiss that I am come so late, for I 
have been at a wrestling match, where I helped a poor 
yeoman who was not getting fair play in the game." 

" Sir Knight," Robin answered, " I thank thee. Whoever 
helps a good yeoman will always be my friend." 

Now when they had thus greeted each other the knight 
said — 

" Here is thy four hundred pounds which thou didst 
lend me, and twenty pounds more for thy courtesy." 

" Nay, by Heaven," cried Robin, " thou shalt keep it for 
thyself, for I have already received the money for the 
debt, and it would be a disgrace to take it twice." And 
he told the knight the story of how he had robbed the 
monk, and they laughed together over it and made good 
cheer. But the knight pressed Robin to take the four 
hundred pounds that he had brought, till Robin cried — 

" Use it well thyself, gentle knight, and do not give it 
to me. But what are these bows and these feathered 
arrows?" he added, looking at some new bows and arrows 
that the knight had brought with him. 

" They are a poor present to thee," replied the knight. 

At this Robin was greatly pleased, and he bade Little 
John go to his treasury and bring four hundred pounds, 
which he offered to the knight, saying — 

'■ Take these four hundred pounds, for the monk paid 



ROBIN HOOD AND KING EDWARD 119 

the debt twice over, and buy a horse and some new 
harness, and gild thy spurs afresh. And if thou lackest 
money come to Robin Hood, and by my troth, while I 
have any wealth at all, I will share it with thee. For I 
like not to see thee going so poorly apparelled." 

Thus Robin Hood helped the knight out of all his 
troubles, and they were friends from that time forth to the 
end of their days. 



XXI 

ROBIN HOOD AND KING EDWARD 

THERE were many other pranks that Robin Hood 
played besides robbing the abbot of his eight 
hundred pounds, and at last the king himself came to 
Nottingham with a great array of knights in order to 
take him prisoner. Sir Richard-at-the-Lee, whom Robin 
had befriended, was now with him in the forest, where 
they were both hiding because they had killed the sheriff 
of Nottingham. The king meant to take him prisoner 
also, and the first thing that he did was to seize the 
knight's lands. Then he set out to look for the two 
outlaws, and he travelled both far and wide in his 
search. 

Now when he came to Plompton Park, where he had 
kept many a herd of deer, he could scarce find a single 
stag that bore a horn of any size, for Robin Hood had 
shot them all. Then he was wondrous wroth, and 
swore — 

" By Heaven, I would I had Robin Hood under my very 
eyes. And he who will smite off the head of Sir Richard- 
at-the-Lee shall have all the knight's lands, for I will give 
them to him with my charter and seal it with my own 
hand." 

But an old knight who was known to be loyal made 
answer — 



120 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

" O my liege Lord the King, let me speak but a word 
to you. There is no man in this country who may take 
the knight's land with safety while Robin Hood is alive 
to carry a bow, for he would assuredly lose his head at 
Robin's hands. Give the lands, therefore, my Lord the 
King, to no man whom you mean to befriend." 

Now the king dwelt half a year and more at Notting- 
ham, but could hear no word of Robin Hood ; yet all the 
while Robin was slaying the deer and doing what he 
pleased with them. 

At last there appeared a proud forester, who knelt 
before the king and said — 

" If you would see good Robin, you must do as 
I tell you. Take five of your best knights and walk down 
by yonder abbey clad in monks' robes. I will go with 
you to show you the way, and I swear, on pain of losing 
my head, that if Robin is alive you shall meet him there 
before you come back into Nottingham." 

So the king and his five knights dressed themselves in 
monks' robes and went forth eagerly. The king wore 
a broad hat over his cowl as though he were the abbot, 
and as he rode along he sang cheerily. 

Now when they came to the greenwood there in good 
truth stood Robin, with many a bold archer beside him ; 
and he caught hold of the king's horse and cried — 

" Sir Abbot ! by your leave ! You must stop a moment. 
We are yeomen of this forest, and we live by shooting the 
king's deer under the greenwood tree. But you have 
churches and rents, and plenty of gold. Give us therefore 
some of your riches, for the sake of holy charity." 

Then the good king replied — 

" I have brought but forty pounds to the greenwood, 
for 1 have been to Nottingham for a fortnight with our 
king, and have spent my money on many a great lord. 
So forty pounds is all that I have left. But if I had 
as much as a hundred pounds I would give it to 
thee." 



ROBIN HOOD AND KING EDWARD 121 

So Robin took the forty pounds and divided it in two. 
Half he gave to his merry men and bade them have good 
cheer ; and the other half he offered to the king, saying 
full courteously — 

" Sir, have this for your spending ! We shall meet 
another day." 

Then said the king — 

"Grammercy! But Edward our king greets thee well, 
and sends thee his seal, bidding thee come to Nottingham 
to feast with him." 

And he took out the broad seal and showed it to 
Robin. 

Then Robin made his reverence and bent his knee, 
crying — 

" I love no man in all the world as well as I do my king. 
Right welcome is my lord's seal, and so art thou, Sir 
Abbot, for thy good tidings. Thou must dine with me 
to-day under my trysting-tree for love of the king." 

Then Robin took a great horn and blew it loudly, and 
seven score of strong young men appeared and knelt on 
their knees before him. 

At this the king said to himself — 

" By St. Austin, here is a wondrous fair sight ! Me- 
thinks his men do his bidding better than my men do 
mine ! " 

Then Robin and Little John and the yeomen set fat 
venison before the king, with good white bread and red 
wine and fine brown ale ; and Robin cried — 

" Make good cheer, Sir Abbot, and mayst thou be blessed 
for thy good tidings ! And now, before thou goest hence, 
thou shalt see what kind of life we lead, that thou mayst 
tell the king thereof." 

Then they all started up in haste and bent their bows; and 
the arrows passed so near the king that he was sore aghast, 
thinking he would be shot. Moreover, the distance that 
they sent their arrows was fifty paces more than was usual, 
so that the king was astonished at their skill. 



122 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Now the marks were garlands of roses, and Robin 
said — 

" Whoever fails to hit the rose garland shall lose his bow 
and arrows and give them up to his master, however fine 
they are ; and he shall also receive a blow upon his bare 
head, for I will spare no one." 

So whoever missed his mark and fell into Robin's hands 
was smitten full hard on the head. But Robin himself 
shot twice, and both times he hit the mark ; so also did 
one of the yeomen named Gilbert, and so did Little John 
and Scarlet. 

At last, however, Robin missed the garland by three 
fingers' length ; whereat Gilbert cried — 

" Master, your bow and arrows are lost ! Stand forth 
and take your pay of strokes." 

Then Robin turned to the king and said — 

" Sir Abbot, I deliver my arrows to thee. I pray thee, 
give me my blow." 

But the king made answer — 

" It is not my business, Robin, by your leave, to smite a 
good yeoman." 

" Smite on boldly," was Robin's reply. " I give thee 
leave to strike as hard as thou canst." 

So the king turned back his sleeve and gave Robin 
such a blow that he came near falling to the ground 
from it. 

" By Heaven," cried he to the king, " thou art a stalwart 
friar ! There is pith in thine arm and I trow thou couldst 
shoot well also." 

Then he looked at the king more closely and at last 
he recognized him. Falling on his knees, with Sir Richard 
and all his wild outlaws beside him, he cried — 

" My Lord the King of England, now I know you 
well." 

" Have mercy of thy goodness then, Robin," said the 
king, " upon me and my men under thy trysting-tree." 

But Robin answered — 



ROBIN HOOD AND KING EDWARD 123 

" 'Tis I must ask mercy of thee, my Lord, both for myself 
and for my men.'' 

" That will I grant thee, Robin, if thou and thy company 
will leave the greenwood and come to dwell at my court 
with me." 

" Right so shall it be," said Robin. " I will come to 
your court to try your service, and will bring with me 
seven score men. But unless I like well your service, I 
shall come again full soon and shoot the deer as I have 
ever been wont to do." 

Now after this was agreed upon, the king asked — 

" Hast thou any green cloth that thou wilt sell to 
me ? " 

11 Yes, by Heaven," said Robin; " I have three-and-thirty 
yards of it." 

So the king bought the green cloth, and he and his 
knights cast off their grey monks' robes and clad them- 
selves all in Lincoln green, and then the whole company 
set off towards Nottingham, shooting as they went. 

The king and Robin Hood rode together and played the 
game of pluck-buffet, in which whoever missed his mark 
had to take a blow from the other. Many a hard blow 
did the king have to take from Robin that day, and Robin 
spared him nothing in striking him. 

11 Thy game is too difficult for me to learn," the king 
cried. "I should not beat thee were I to shoot for a 
year." 

Now when they came to Nottingham all the people 
stood to watch them ; and they saw nothing but green 
mantles on every side. Then every man began to say to 
his neighbour — 

" I fear that our king is slain, for Robin Hood would 
never come to the town leaving him alive." 

So yeomen and poor men, and even the old wives that 
could hardly hobble along, even with the help of sticks, all 
began to flee in terror. 

Then the king laughed heartily and called to them to 



124 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

come back again, and when they beheld their fair king 
they were overjoyed, and they feasted and made merry 
with songs and revelry to celebrate his return. Also the 
king gave back his lands to Sir Richard-at-the-Lee, so 
that there was rejoicing on every hand. 

Now Robin dwelt in the king's court for a year and 
three months ; but at the end of that time he had spent 
a hundred pounds and all his men's pay in entertaining 
the knights and squires to win himself renown. Moreover, 
all his men had left him except Little John and Scarlet, 
for though they were still loyal to him, they could not 
live without pay. 

One day he was watching some young men shooting, 
and the sight of them reminded him of his former life, and 
he lamented, saying — 

" Alas ! my wealth has all disappeared. Once I was a 
good archer, and could shoot both straight and far. I was 
counted the best archer in merry England. Woe is me, 
for if I dwell longer with the king I shall die of grief, for 
I long to go back to the greenwood." 

Then he went to the king and said : 

" My Lord the King of England, grant me my request. 
I built once a fair chapel in Barnsdale, and I would fain go 
thither again. I have not slept for seven nights, nor 
scarcely eaten or drunk these seven days, so great is my 
longing to be at Barnsdale. And now I have vowed to go 
thither barefoot as an act of penance. I beseech thee to 
let me go." 

So the king gave him leave to be absent for seven nights, 
and Robin thanked him on his knees, and taking his 
leave most courteously, set out for Barnsdale and the 
greenwood. 

When he came to the greenwood it was a fair morning, 
and the birds were singing merrily. Then Robin's heart 
was glad, and he cried — 

" It is long since I was last here, and great is my desire 
to shoot once more at the deer." 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 125 

So he drew his bow and shot a fine hart, and then, seiz- 
ing his horn, he blew it, so that all the outlaws of the 
forest might know that he had come back. Soon his 
seven score of strong young men came together, and 
taking off their hoods, knelt before him, crying — 

" Welcome, master, to the greenwood tree once more." 

So Robin took up his life in the forest again and dwelt 
there for twenty-two years ; and even the fear of King 
Edward's wrath could not make him go back to the court 
again. 

But at last he was betrayed and done to death by two 
wicked enemies, and thus his life with his merry company 
under the greenwood tree came to an end. Now may 
Heaven have mercy on his soul, for he was a good outlaw 
and did poor men much good. 



The stories about Robin Hood were repeated in popular legends 
some time before they were actually written down. The two stories 
told here were printed by one of the earliest printers ; Wynkyn de 
Worde^ at about the end of the fiftee?ith century. 



XXII 

THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 

I. HOW BALIN TOOK KING RIENCE OF NORTH WALES 

IN the days when King Arthur first ruled in Britain 
he fought many wars in order to get all England into 
his hand. For there were many kings within the realm of 
England, and others also in Wales, Scotland, and Corn- 
wall. 

So it befell on a time when King Arthur was at London, 
there came a knight and told the king tidings how that 
King Rience of North Wales had reared a great number 
of people, and was entered into the land, and burnt and 
slew the king's true liege people. 



126 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Then the king sent forth word that all the lords, knights, 
and gentlemen of arms should assemble at a castle 
called Camelot in order that they might hold a council 
there. 

Now when the king was come thither with all his barons, 
there came a damsel unto him who was girt with a noble 
sword, whereof the king had marvel. Then said he to 
her — 

" Damsel, for what cause are ye girt with that sword ? " 

" Now shall I tell you," said the damsel. " This sword 
that I am girt with causes me great sorrow and trouble, 
for I may not be delivered of it but by a knight. But he 
must be a passing good man, without villainy or treachery, 
and without treason. And I have been at King Rience's, 
and he and all his knights have tried it, and none can 
speed." 

Then Arthur himself tried to pull out the sword, not 
because he thought himself the best knight, but that 
he might give an example to all the other knights, so 
that they each might try after him. He took the sword 
by the sheath and by the girdle and pulled at it eagerly, 
but it would not come out. Most of the barons of the 
Round Table tried also in turn, but none of them might 
speed ; wherefore the damsel made great sorrow beyond 
measure. 

Now there was a poor knight with King Arthur that had 
been prisoner with him half a year for slaying a knight who 
was cousin unto the king. The name of this knight was 
Balin, and he was born in Northumberland, and by good 
means of the barons he was delivered out of prison at 
that time. Then he went privily into the court and saw 
this adventure ; and when he saw it he took heart, and 
thought that he would try as the other knights did. Yet 
because he was poor and poorly arrayed he did not put 
himself forward among the knights. 

But when the damsel took her leave of Arthur and of 
all the barons and was departing, Balin called unto her 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 127 

and asked leave to try and pull out the sword. And at 
first she was loath, because he seemed such a sorry knight, 
but afterwards she consented. Then Balin took the sword 
by the girdle and by the sheath and drew it out easily, 
and when he looked on the sword it pleased him much. 

Then had the king and all the barons great marvel that 
Balin had done that adventure, and many knights envied 
him greatly. 

After this the damsel asked the knight to give her back 
the sword ; but he made answer — 

" Nay, for this sword will I keep, unless it be taken from 
me by force." 

" Well," said the damsel, " ye are not wise to keep the 
sword from me, for ye shall slay with it the best friend 
that ye have, and the man that ye love most in the world, 
and it shall be your destruction." 

" I shall take the adventure," said Balin, " but the sword 
ye shall not have at this time, by the faith of my body." 

"Ye shall repent it within a short time," said the damsel, 
" for I would have the sword more for your avail than for 
mine, for I am passing sorrowful for your sake. For ye 
will not believe that the sword shall be your destruction, 
and that is a great pity." 

With that the damsel departed, making great sorrow. 

Soon after Balin sent for his horse and armour, and took 
his leave of King Arthur. The king thought that he was 
going because he had been imprisoned by him ; but he 
besought him to stay at the court, and swore to give him 
advancement. Balin thanked him courteously, but never- 
theless he would not change his resolution to depart. 

Now as he was making ready to set forth, there came 
into the court a lady that was called the Lady of the Lake. 
She it was who had given Arthur his wonderful sword 
Excalibur ; and at that time he had promised her a gift. 
So now she came to claim her gift, and said unto the 
king — 

" I ask the head of the knight that hath won the sword, 



128 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

or else the head of the damsel that brought it ; for he slew 
my brother, a good knight and true, and that gentlewoman 
caused my father's death." 

" Truly," said King Arthur, " I may not grant either of 
their heads with honour, but ask whatever else ye will, 
and I will fulfil your desire." 

" I will ask no other thing," said the lady. 

Now when Balin was ready to depart he saw the Lady 
of the Lake, for whom he had been seeking for three years 
because she had slain his mother ; and when it was told 
him that she asked his head of Kin^ Arthur he went to 
her straight and said — 

" Evil befall ye ! Ye would have my head, and there- 
fore ye shall lose yours." 

And with his sword he smote off her head lightly before 
King Arthur. 

Then the king cried, " Alas, for shame ! Why have ye 
done this ? Ye have shamed me and all my court, for this 
was a lady that I was beholden to, and she came hither 
under my safe-conduct. I shall never forgive you that 
trespass." 

" Sir," said Balin, " I am sorry for your displeasure, but 
this same lady was the untruest lady living, and by en- 
chantment and sorcery she hath been the destroyer of 
many good knights, and she caused my mother to be burnt 
through her falsehood and treachery." 

" What cause soever ye had," said Arthur, " ye should 
have forborne to strike her in my presence ; therefore 
withdraw ye out of my court in all the haste ye may." 

So Balin went out from the king's presence to his 
hostelry, and there he met with his squire, who was full 
sorry that he had displeased King Arthur. And so they 
rode forth out of the town. 

Then Balin bade the squire ride to his friends in 
Northumberland and relate to them all that had befallen 
him ; but before he went the squire lamented once more, 
and said — 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 129 

" Alas, ye are greatly to blame for that ye have dis- 
pleased King Arthur." 

" As for that," said Balin, " I will hie me, in all the 
haste that I may, to meet with King Rience, and de- 
stroy him or else die ; and if it may chance that I win 
him, then will King Arthur be my good and gracious 
lord." 

" Where shall I meet with you again ? " said the 
squire. 

" In King Arthur's court," said Balin. 

So his squire and he parted at that time and each rode 
on his way. 

Meanwhile King Arthur and all the court made great 
dole and had shame for the death of the Lady of the Lake, 
and the king buried her richly. 

At that time there was with Arthur a knight who was 
son of the king of Ireland, and his name was Lanceor. 
He was a proud knight and counted himself one of the 
best of the court ; and because he had great envy of 
Balin for the winning of the sword, he asked King Arthur 
if he would give him leave to ride after Balin to revenge 
the wrong that he had done. 

" Do your best," said Arthur, " for I am right wroth 
with Balin." 

So the knight of Ireland armed him at all points 
and rode after Balin at a great pace ; and in a little 
space he had sight of Balin on a mountain, and cried 
to him with a loud voice to stay and do battle with 
him. 

Then they took up their spears and rode at each other 
as fiercely as they could ; and Balin's spear pierced 
through Lanceor's shield and through his body, so that 
he died. 

Then Balin looked and was aware of a damsel that 

came riding on a fair palfrey full fast as the horse might 

ride. And when she espied that Lanceor was slain she 

made sorrow beyond measure ; and therewith she took 

9 



130 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

the sword from her love that lay dead and drove it through 
her own body. 

When Balin espied her deed he was passing heavy in 
his heart, and ashamed that so fair a damsel had destroyed 
herself for love of the knight whom he had slain ; and for 
sorrow he could not longer behold them, but turned his 
horse and looked towards a great forest that lay at hand. 
Then was he aware of a knight that came riding, who by 
his arms he knew to be his brother Balan. And when 
they were met they put off their helmets and kissed to- 
gether, and Balan said — 

" I little weened to have met with you at this sudden 
adventure. I am right glad of your deliverance out of 
your dolorous prison, for a man told me in the Castle 
of Four Stones that ye were delivered, and therefore I 
came hither into this country, for here I supposed to find 
you." 

Then the knight Balin told his brother of all that had 
befallen him, and how he was on his way to take King 
Rience and so win back King Arthur's favour ; and 
Balan agreed to go with him on the adventure. 

But before they had set forth there came by that 
place Merlin the Enchanter ; and he spoke unto Balin, 
saying — 

" Thou hast done thyself great hurt because thou didst 
not save this lady that slew herself." 

" By the faith of my body," said Balin, " I might not 
save her, for she slew herself suddenly." 

" Nevertheless," said Merlin, " because of the death of 
that lady thou shalt strike a stroke more dolorous than 
any that ever man struck, for thou shalt hurt the truest 
knight and the man of most worship that now liveth, and 
through that stroke three kingdoms shall be in great 
poverty, misery, and wretchedness for twelve years ; and 
the knight shall not be whole of that wound for many 
years." 

And therewith Merlin vanished away suddenly. 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 131 

But a little while after, as the brothers rode on their 
way in search of King Rience, he appeared unto them 
again and told them that their enterprise would not 
prosper unless they had his counsel ; and Balin agreed 
to be ruled by his advice. 

Then Merlin lodged them in a wood among leaves 
beside the highway, and took off the bridles of their 
horses and put the horses to grass, and made the knights 
lie down to rest till it was nigh midnight. Then he bade 
them rise and make ready, for the king was nigh them, 
and had with him only a small escort of three score 
men. 

Anon, therefore, Balin and his brother met with the 
king, and smote him down and wounded him fiercely, 
and laid him on the ground ; and there they slew on the 
right hand and the left hand more than forty of his men, 
and the remnant fled. 

Then went they again to King Rience, and would have 
slain him had he not yielded himself unto their mercy. 
Then said he thus — 

" Knights full of prowess, slay me not, for by my life 
ye may gain some advantage, but by my death ye shall 
win nothing." 

Then said these two knights — 

" Ye say sooth." 

And so they laid him on a horse-litter to carry him 
away. 

With that Merlin vanished, and came to King Arthur 
aforehand, and told him how his greatest enemy was 
taken and discomfited. 

" By whom ? " said the king. 

" By two knights," said Merlin, " that would please your 
lordship, and to-morrow ye shall know what knights they 
are." 

Soon after came Balin and Balan, his brother, and 
brought with them King Rience of North Wales, and 
there delivered him to the porters, and charged them with 



132 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

him ; and then they two turned away from the court in 
the dawning of the day. 

King Arthur came then to King Rience, and said — 

" Sir King, ye are welcome. By what adventure came 
ye here ? " 

" Sir," said King Rience, " I came hither by an hard 
adventure." 

" Who won you ? " said King Arthur. 

Now King Rience knew not the names of the two 
knights who had taken him ; but ever since the winning 
of the sword Balin had carried two swords by his side ; 
wherefore the king made answer — 

" Sir, 'twas the Knight of the Two Swords and his 
brother, who are two knights of marvellous prowess." 

" I know them not," said Arthur, " but I am much 
beholden to them." 

" Ah," said Merlin, " I shall tell you ; it is Balin who 
won the sword, and Balan his brother." 

So Balin was restored to the king's favour, and he and 
his brother both became Arthur's knights, and helped to 
fight his battles for him. 



XXIII 

THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 

II. HOW BALIN SMOTE THE DOLOROUS STROKE; 
AND HOW HE CAME UNTO HIS END 

NOT long after Balin had taken King Rience, King 
Arthur was somewhat sick, and he let pitch his 
pavilion in a meadow, and there he laid him down on 
a pallet to sleep ; but he might have no rest. Right so 
he heard a great noise of an horse, and therewith the king 
looked out at the porch of the pavilion and saw a knight 
coming by him, making great dole. 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 133 

" Abide, fair sir," said Arthur, " and tell me wherefore 
thou makest this sorrow." 

" Ye may little amend me," said the knight, and so 
passed forth on his way. 

Anon after there came Balin, and when he saw King 
Arthur he alighted off his horse, and came to the king on 
foot, and saluted him. 

" By my head," said Arthur, " ye are welcome. Sir, 
right now came riding this way a knight making great 
moan, for what cause I cannot tell ; wherefore I would 
desire you of your courtesy and of your gentleness to 
fetch again that knight, either by force or else by his 
goodwill." 

" I would do more for your lordship than that," said 
Balin, and so he rode with haste, and found the knight 
with a damsel in a forest, and said — 

" Sir knight, ye must come with me unto King Arthur 
for to tell him of your sorrow." 

" That I will not," said the knight, " for it will injure me 
greatly and do you no avail." 

" Sir," said Balin, " I pray you make ready, for ye must 
go with me, or else I must fight with you and bring you 
by force, and that I were loath to do." 

" Will ye be my warrant," said the knight, " if I go with 
you ? " 

" Yea," said Balin, " or else I will die for it." 

So he made him ready to go with Balin, and left the 
damsel in the forest. 

Now as they were even before King Arthur's 
pavilion, there came one invisible, and smote this 
knight that went with Balin throughout the body with 
a spear. 

" Alas," said the knight, " I am slain under your con- 
duct by a knight called Garlon ; therefore take my horse, 
that is better than yours, and ride to the damsel, and 
follow the quest that I was in as she will lead you, and 
revenge my death when ye may." 



3 34 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

" That shall I do," said Balin, " and thereto I pledge my 
knighthood." 

And so he departed from this knight with great sorrow 
and rode to fetch the damsel ; and she took the truncheon 
of the spear wherewith the knight was slain and bore it 
ever with her. 

Then Balin and the damsel rode forth and came again 
unto the forest ; and there they met with a knight that 
had been a-hunting, and that knight asked Balin for what 
cause he made so great sorrow ; and Balin told him all 
the cause of his grief. 

" Ah," said the knight, " is this all ? Here I promise 
you by the faith of my body never to depart from you 
while my life lasteth." And so the knight rode forth with 
Balin. 

Now as they came by an hermitage even by a church- 
yard, there came the knight Garlon invisible, and smote 
this knight through the body with a spear. 

" Alas," said the knight, " I am slain by this traitor 
knight that rideth invisible." 

" Alas," said Balin, " it is not the first despite that he 
hath done me," and there the hermit and Balin buried the 
knight under a rich stone and a royal tomb. 

After this Balin and the damsel rode for three or four 
days and met with no adventures ; and by hap they were 
lodged one night with a gentleman that was a rich man 
and well at ease. From him Balin learnt that the knight 
Garlon was brother to a certain king named Pellam, who 
at that time was about to hold a great feast at his castle ; 
wherefore Balin thought to ride unto the feast in quest 
of Garlon. 

So on the morn he rode towards the castle of Pellam 
with the damsel, and they had fifteen days' journey ere 
they came thither ; and that same day began the great 
feast ; and so they alighted, and stabled their horses, and 
went into the castle. 

Then Balin was well received, and brought into a cham- 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 135 

ber and unarmed, and there were brought him robes for 
his pleasure ; but it was asked of him that he should leave 
his sword behind him. 

" Nay," said Balin, " that will I not, for it is the custom 
of my country that a knight should always keep his 
weapon, and that custom will I keep, or else I will depart 
as I came." 

Then they gave him leave to wear his sword, and so he 
went unto the hall of the castle, and was set among knights 
of great honour, and the damsel beside him. 

Soon Balin asked a knight — 

'* Is there not a knight in this court whose name is 
Garlon ? " 

"Yonder he goeth," said a knight, "he with a black 
face ; he is the most marvellous knight that is now 
living, and destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth 
invisible." 

Then Balin took counsel with himself for a long 
time, for he thought, " If I slay him here I shall not 
escape ; and if I leave him now, peradventure I shall 
never meet with him again, and he will do much harm if 
he lives." 

Therewith Garlon espied that Balin beheld him, and 
came and smote him on the face with the back of his hand, 
and said — 

" Knight, why dost thou look thus at me ? Eat thy meat 
and do that which thou earnest for." 

Then Balin cried — 

" This is not the first despite that thou hast done me, 
and therefore I will do what I came for." 

And he rose up fiercely and clave Garlon's head to the 
shoulders ; and then he called to the damsel — 

" Give me the truncheon wherewith he slew your 
knight." 

Anon she gave it him, for always she bore it with her ; 
and therewith Balin smote him through the body and said 
openly — 



136 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

" With that truncheon thou hast slain a good knight, 
and now it sticketh in thy body." 

Anon all the knights arose from the table for to set on 
Balin, and King Pellam himself arose up fiercely and 
said — 

" Knight, hast thou slain my brother ? Thou shalt die 
therefore before thou mayst depart." 

Then King Pellam caught in his hand a grim weapon 
and smote eagerly at Balin; but Balin put his sword 
betwixt his head and the stroke, and therewith the sword 
burst in sunder. And when he was weaponless he ran 
into a chamber for to seek some weapon, and so from 
chamber to chamber, and no weapon could he find ; and 
always King Pellam ran after him. 

And at the last he entered into a chamber that was 
marvellously well and richly furnished, and there was a 
bed arrayed with cloth of gold, and thereby stood a table 
of pure gold with four pillars of silver that bore up the 
table, and upon the table stood a marvellous spear strangely 
wrought. 

When Balin saw that spear he seized it in his hand, and 
turned him towards King Pellam, and smote him passingly 
sore with it, so that the king fell down in a swoon. And 
therewith the castle roof and walls brake and fell to the 
earth, and Balin fell down so that he might not stir foot 
nor hand. And so the most part of the castle that was 
fallen down through that dolorous stroke lay upon Pellam 
and Balin for three days. 

Then Merlin came thither and took up Balin, and got 
him a good horse, for his was dead, and bade him ride out 
of that country. Then Balin departed from Merlin and 
said — 

"In this world we meet no more." 

So he rode forth through the fair countries and cities, 
and found the people dead, slain on every side. And all 
that were alive cried — 

" O Balin, thou hast caused great damage in these 



THE STORY OF SIR BALIN 137 

countries ; because of the dolorous stroke thou gavest 
unto King Pellam three countries are destroyed, and doubt 
not but vengeance will fall on thee at the last." 

When therefore Balin was past those countries he was 
passing glad. 

Now after some time he came unto a castle, and the 
chief lady of the castle said unto him — ■ 

" Knight with the Two Swords, ye must joust with a 
knight hereby that keepeth an island, for no knight may 
pass this way but he must joust before he pass." 

" Well," said Balin, " I am ready." 

Then said a knight unto him— 

" Sir, methinks your shield is not good ; I will lend you 
a bigger one." 

So Balin took the knight's shield and left his own, and 
put himself and his horse in a great boat and rowed unto 
the island. 

Then afore him he saw come riding out of a castle a 
knight, and his horse was trapped all in red and himself in 
the same colour. 

Now this knight in red was none other than Balan, and 
when he beheld Balin he thought it should be his brother 
because of his two swords, but because he knew not his 
shield he deemed it was not he. And so they came 
marvellously fast together and smote each other in the 
shields ; and so fiercely did they strike that both horses 
and men fell to the ground. But Balin was bruised sore 
with the fall of his horse, for he was weary with travel. 
Therefore Balan was the first that rose on foot and drew 
his sword, and he went towards Balin, who arose also and 
went against him ; but Balan smote Balin first, and put up 
his shield and smote him through the helm. Then Balin 
smote again with that unlucky sword that he had won 
from the damsel, and wellnigh had felled his brother 
Balan ; and so they fought together till their breaths 
failed. 

Then when they had breathed a space they went unto 



138 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

battle again, and wounded each other dolefully, till each 
had smitten the other seven great wounds, so that the 
least of them might have been the death of the mightiest 
giant in the world. 

At last Balan the younger brother withdrew a little and 
laid him down. Then said Balin — 

" What knight art thou ? for ere now I found never 
a knight that matched me." 

" My name is Balan," said he, " brother unto the good 
knight Balin." 

" Alas," said Balin, " that ever I should see this 
day ! " 

And therewith he fell backward in a swoon. 

Then Balan went on all four feet and hands, and put 
off the helm from his brother, and might not know him by 
his visage, it was so covered with wounds ; but when Balin 
awoke he said — 

" O Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me and I 
thee, wherefore all the wide world shall speak of us 
both." 

" Alas," said Balan, " that ever I saw this day, and that 
through mishap I might not know you. For I espied 
well your two swords, but because ye had another shield 
I deemed ye had been another knight." 

" Alas," said Balin, " that was done by an unhappy 
knight in the castle, for he caused me to leave my own 
shield ; and if I might live I would destroy that castle for 
its ill customs." 

" That were well done," said Balan, " for I might never 
depart from them since I came hither. For here it befell 
that I slew a knight that kept this island, and since 
might I never depart, and no more should ye have 
done, my brother, if ye had slain me and escaped with 
your life." 

Then came the lady of the tower with four knights and 
six ladies and six yeomen unto them, and gave them what 



THE STORY OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY 139 

comfort she might, and wept for pity of that which had 
befallen them. 

Then anon Balan died, but Balin died not till the mid- 
night after ; and so were they both buried, and the lady 
made mention on the tomb of Balan how he was there 
slain by his brother's hands ; but she knew not Balin's 
name. But on the morrow came Merlin, and wrote Balin's 
name on the tomb in letters of gold : — 

HERE LIETH BALIN THAT WAS THE KNIGHT WITH 
THE TWO SWORDS, AND HE THAT SMOTE THE DOLOROUS 
STROKE. 

Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur, 
and told him of the dolorous stroke that Balin gave to 
King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan fought together 
the most marvellous battle that ever was heard of, and 
how they were both buried in one tomb. 

" Alas," said King Arthur, " this is the greatest pity that 
ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the world I know 
not two such knights." 

Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren 
born in Northumberland, good knights both. 



XXIV 

THE STORY OF SIR GARETH 
OF ORKNEY 

IT was the feast of Pentecost, and King Arthur had 
assembled all the knights of his Round Table in a 
castle on the borders of Wales. 

Now the king had a custom that on this feast he would 
not go to meat until he had heard or seen of a great 
marvel ; and it befell that a little before noon of the day 
of Pentecost, the great knight Sir Gawaine espied at a 



140 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

window three men upon horseback and a dwarf on foot. 
And the three men alighted and the dwarf kept their 
horses ; and one of the three men was taller than the 
other two by a foot and a half. 

Then Sir Gawaine went unto the King and said — 

" Sir, go to your meat, for here at hand come strange 
adventures." 

So King Arthur went unto his meat with many other 
kings and all the knights of the Round Table. 

Right so came into the hall two men well and richly 
arrayed, and upon their shoulders there leaned the good- 
liest young man and the fairest that ever they all saw. 
As soon as Arthur saw them, room was made for them, 
and they went unto the high dais, without saying a 
word. 

Then this young man pulled himself back, and easily 
stretched up straight, saying — 

" King Arthur, God bless you and all your fair fellow- 
ship. I am come hither to pray you to give me three 
gifts ; and the first gift I will ask now, and the other two 
I will ask this day twelvemonth, wheresoever ye hold 
your high feast." 

" Now ask," said Arthur, " and ye shall have your 
asking." 

" This is my petition," then said the young man, " that 
ye will give me meat and drink sufficient for this twelve- 
month." 

" My fair son," said Arthur, " ask better, I counsel thee, 
for this is but a simple asking." But the young man 
would ask for nothing else, nor would he make known 
his name. 

Then the king bade Sir Kay the steward give him all 
manner of meats and drinks of the best ; but Sir Kay 
scorned the young man, thinking he was of lowly birth, 
and he gave him the name of Beaumains, that is, Fair- 
hands, and put him into the kitchen, and he lay nightly as 
the boys of the kitchen did. And so he endured all that 



THE STORY OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY 141 

twelvemonth, and never displeased man nor child, but 
always he was meek and mild. And Sir Gawaine and 
Sir Lancelot, two of the greatest knights at Arthur's 
court, were wroth with Sir Kay that he treated him so 
discourteously. 

Now when a twelvemonth had gone by, there came a 
damsel to the king on the feast of Pentecost, and 
prayed him for succour for her sister, who was besieged in 
her own castle by a tyrant called the Red Knight of the 
Red Lands. 

Then came Beaumains unto King Arthur, and 
said — 

" Sir King, I have been this twelvemonth in your 
kitchen, and have had my fill of meat and drink, and now 
I will ask my two gifts that ye did promise me. First, I 
ask that I may have this adventure of the damsel, for it 
belongeth unto me ; and secondly I ask that ye shall bid 
Sir Lancelot to ride after me and make me a knight when 
I require him, for I will be knighted by him and by none 
other." 

"All this shall be done," said the king. But the 
damsel cried to him — 

" Fie on thee. Shall I have none other but one that is 
your kitchen page ? " 

Then was she wroth, and took her horse and departed ; 
and with that there came one to Beaumains and told him 
his horse and armour was come for him ; and there was 
the dwarf come with all things that he needed, in the 
richest manner : thereat all the court marvelled much from 
whence came all that gear. 

So when he was armed, he came into the hall, and 
took his leave of King Arthur and Sir Gawaine and 
Sir Lancelot, and so he departed and rode after the 
damsel. 

Then said Sir Kay openly in the hall — 

" I will ride after my kitchen-boy, to see if he will know 
me for his better." 



142 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

So he made him ready and took his spear, and rode 
after him, and said — 

" Beaumains, know ye not me ? " 

" Yea," said Beaumains, " I know you for an ungentle 
knight of the court, therefore beware of me." 

Therewith Sir Kay put his spear in rest and rode 
straight upon him. Now Beaumains had neither spear 
nor shield, but with his sword he turned aside Sir Kay's 
spear, and thrust him through the side, so that he fell 
down as though dead ; and Beaumains took his shield and 
spear, and rode on his way. 

All this saw Sir Lancelot, who had come riding after 
them ; and now Beaumains offered to joust with him. 
So they fought together for a space, and Beaumains 
showed such prowess that Sir Lancelot was wellnigh put 
to shame. Then said Beaumains, when they had ended 
their jousting — 

" I pray you, give me the order of knighthood." 

" Then must ye tell me your name," said Lancelot, " and 
of what kin ye were born." 

" I will, sir," said Beaumains, " if ye will not reveal 
it." 

" Nay," said Sir Lancelot, " and that I promise you by 
the faith of my body." 

" Then, sir," he said, " my name is Gareth, and I am 
the younger brother of Sir Gawaine." 

Then Sir Lancelot rejoiced and gave him the order 
of knighthood ; and afterwards Beaumains rode on his way 
with the damsel. But she was ever scornful of him, 
saying that he smelt of the kitchen, and bidding him ride 
away, for he was not worthy to take up the adventure. 
But Beaumains bore all patiently and was ever courteous 
in his speech towards her. 

So he rode with the lady till evensong time, and ever 
she chid him, and would not rest. And they came to a 
black land; and there was a black hawthorn, and thereon 
hung a black banner, and on the other side there hung a 



THE STORY OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY 143 

black shield, and by it stood a black spear great and long, 
and a great black horse covered with silk, and a black 
stone fast by. 

There sat a knight armed in black harness on the horse, 
and his name was the Knight of the Black Land ; and 
anon he and Beaumains rode together in great wrath as it 
had been the thunder, and strove together fiercely; and 
at the last, after much fighting, the Black Knight fell 
down off his horse and there died. Then Beaumains 
armed him in the knight's armour, and took the black horse, 
and rode after the damsel. But ever did she scorn him 
and speak harshly unto him. 

Then as they rode together, they saw a knight 
come towards them all in green, both his horse and his 
harness ; and when he came nigh the damsel, he asked 
her — 

" Is this my brother the Black Knight that ye have 
brought with ye?" 

" Nay, nay," she said; " this unhappy kitchen knave hath 
slain your brother by an ill hap." 

" Ah, traitor," said the Green Knight; " thou shalt die 
for slaying of my brother." 

Therewithal he rode at Beaumains with all his might, 
and their spears broke as they met together. Then they 
drew their swords, and gave many sad strokes, and 
wounded each other full ill ; and the damsel stood by and 
taunted Beaumains, calling him kitchen-knave. 

So then suddenly he struck the Green Knight to the 
ground and would have slain him ; but he cried for mercy 
and swore to serve him with thirty other knights, and 
besought the lady to plead for him also. Then said she 
to Beaumains — 

" Let be, thou knave, and slay him not." So he released 
the Green Knight, who knelt down thereupon and did 
him homage with his sword. 

Now that night they all did lodge at the Green Knight's 
manor, and he appointed thirty knights to be at Beau- 



144 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

mains' service ; but the damsel was yet scornful of 
Beaumains, and would not suffer him to sit at her 
table. 

On the morrow they all arose and took their horses 
and rode on their way, and the Green Knight conveyed 
them through the forest, and at parting said unto 
Beaumains — 

" My lord Beaumains, I and these thirty knights shall 
be always at your summons, so that ye may send us 
wherever ye will." 

" It is well," said Beaumains. " When I call upon you, ye 
must yield yourself unto King Arthur, and all your 
knights with you." 

Then the Green Knight rode home again, and 
Beaumains and the damsel went on their way, and still 
she chid him and made mock of him. 

But ere long there came riding against Beaumains a 
Red Knight, whose spear and shield and horse and 
harness were all of red ; and behold, it was with him as it 
had been with the Green Knight. For he and Beaumains 
fought fiercely together, and at the last the Red Knight 
yielded him unto Beaumains and swore to give him fifty 
knights to do him service; and Beaumains spared his life 
at the damsel's command, and they were lodged that night 
at the Red Knight's castle. 

Now on the morrow, as they rode on their way, the 
damsel fell once more to chiding Beaumains in the 
cruellest manner. But he bore all so patiently that at the 
last she cried — 

" Great marvel have I as to what manner of man ye be, 
for so shamefully did never woman rule a knight as I have 
done you, and ever courteously ye have suffered me, and 
that came never but of gentle blood." 

" Damsel," said Beaumains, " a knight may do little that 
cannot suffer a damsel. The more ye said, the more ye 
angered me, but I wreaked my wrath upon them with 
whom I fought ; and whether I be gentleman born or 



THE STORY OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY 145 

no, I have done you gentleman's service, and perad- 
venture I will do you better service yet ere I depart 
from you." 

Then the damsel was ashamed, and cried — 

" Alas, fair Beaumains, forgive me all that I have said 
or done against thee." 

" With all my heart," said he. 

And so they rode on together in good fellowship at 
last. 

Then they came to where there was a fair meadow, and 
in it a pavilion all of blue, in which did lodge a Blue 
Knight, Sir Persant of Inde by name, who was brother 
unto the Black Knight and the Green Knight and the 
Red Knight. Him also did Beaumains vanquish, so that 
he swore to give him homage and fealty, and made an 
hundred knights to be always at his command to do him 
service. And that night they lodged at the Blue Knight's 
pavilion, and Beaumains made known his birth unto him 
and unto the damsel under a vow of secrecy, how that he 
was Sir Gareth of Orkney, and brother to the great Sir 
Gawaine. 

Now when Beaumains and the lady rode forth again 
on their journey, they came after a time to a fair 
castle ; and upon the trees around it there hung nigh 
forty knights. 

Then said Sir Beaumains — 

" What meaneth this ? " 

"Sir," said the damsel, "all these knights came hither 
to rescue my sister, Dame Lionesse, and when the 
Red Knight of the Red Lands had overcome them, 
he put them to this shameful death without mercy or 
pity." 

Then they rode to the walls of the castle and there 
were lodged many great lords nigh the walls ; and also 
there was near by a sycamore tree, and there hung a horn, 
the greatest that ever they saw, of an elephant's bone. 
The Knight of the Red Lands had hung it up there so 



146 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

that if there came any knight-errant, he might blow the 
horn as a signal that he was ready to do battle. 

Now the damsel would have had Beaumains wait to 
blow the horn till noon, for it was said that until then the 
Knight of the Red Lands had the strength of seven men. 
But Beaumains scorned to delay the fight on that 
account, and spurred his horse straight to the sycamore 
tree, and blew the horn so eagerly that all the castle walls 
rang, and they within looked over the walls and out at the 
windows. 

Then the Red Knight of the Red Lands armed himself 
hastily, and his armour and spear and shield and the horse 
that he rode upon were all blood-red ; and so he rode into 
a little valley below the castle, that all that were therein 
might behold the battle. 

Then said the damsel unto Beaumains — 

" Sir, yonder is your deadly enemy, and at yonder 
window is my sister, Dame Lionesse." 

So Beaumains looked up to the window and beheld 
the lady; and then was he glad that he would fight for 
her, for she was the fairest lady that ever he had looked 
upon, and he was filled with love for her. 

With that the Red Knight of the Red Lands called to 
Sir Beaumains — 

" Sir Knight, leave thy looking and make thee 
ready." 

So Beaumains bade the damsel go from him, and they 
put their spears in rest, and came together with all their 
might, and bore each other down to the ground, and for 
a while they both lay there stunned. Then they rose up 
and drew their swords, and ran together like two fierce 
lions, and each gave the other such dire blows that great 
pieces came off their armour and shields and lay about 
the field. 

Thus they fought till past noon, when both of them 
lacked breath to continue the fight. So they rested them 
awhile, and then went to the battle again, and fought like 



THE STORY OF SIR GARETH OF ORKNEY 147 

wild boars, throwing each other often to the ground, and 
neither gaining the advantage. 

But towards evening there came a time when the Red 
Knight smote Beaumains to the ground, so that his sword 
fell out of his hand, and the Red Knight threw himself 
upon him to hold him down. 

Then cried the damsel — 

" O Sir Beaumains, where is thy courage ? Alas, my 
sister beholdeth thee, and sobbeth and weepeth at thy 
downfall." 

Thereat Beaumains wrenched himself free and sprang 
to his feet ; and seizing his sword, he fell anew to 
smiting with such fury that at length he struck the Red 
Knight down and stood over him to slay him. But the 
Red Knight cried with a loud voice — 

" O noble knight, I yield me to thy mercy." 

So Beaumains spared his life, and he promised to go 
and yield himself up to King Arthur, and ask his mercy 
for having put so many knights to shame by hanging 
their bodies on the trees. And then came the damsel and 
bound up their wounds, so that after a time they were 
both healed and well again. 

Thus did Beaumains set free Dame Lionesse and prove 
his valour above all dispute, so that great honour and 
fame were given to him. For the Green Knight and the 
Red Knight and the Blue Knight and the Knight of the 
Red Lands also all went to King Arthur's court at 
Beaumains' bidding, and told him all that had befallen 
them, and of how valiantly Beaumains had fought and 
conquered them. Also after a time Sir Beaumains' noble 
birth was made known to all the court, how that he was 
Sir Gareth of Orkney, and brother to the great Sir 
Gawaine ; and then was he wedded to Dame Lionesse of 
the Castle Perilous, with the greatest rejoicing and 
ceremony ; and there was none in all the court who 
received so great honour and homage as he did on that 
day. 



148 STORIES FROM OLD ENGLISH ROMANCE 

Thus endeth the tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney, who was 
a most noble knight. 



The story of Sir Balin } a?id also that of Sir Gareth, is found in 
Sir Thomas Malory's book " Le Morte d' Arthur" which was 
writte?i about the year 1470, and was printed by Caxton i?i 1485. 
Malory took many of his stories from French ?'omances, but he 
wrote i?i English, and most of his tales are of King Arthur and 



his English knights. 



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